The Whangarei Childcare Centre is a community-based, not-for-profit organisation, governed by a management and governance committee. The management committee is informed of the daily operations of the centre and makes decisions about the centre’s strategic direction. The leadership of the centre has changed since the last ERO report in 2013. A new centre manager has been appointed, bringing expertise in finance and management. Three new centre leaders have been appointed as leaders of the teaching team. The centre’s fulltime staff comprises almost all registered certificated teachers. The majority of the staff have worked at the centre for several years, and know the children and their whanau.
HIV-positive boy could return to Whangarei daycare
A Whangarei daycare has allowed an HIV-positive boy to return to its care after he was expelled a few weeks ago. The parents did not tell the daycare, which has had the boy for two years, about the boy’s condition. They feared the stigma attached to the condition, but the daycare has been understanding and willing to let the boy stay – and the father stayed at home.
The boy’s parents were initially reluctant to tell the centre, and the HIV-positive diagnosis could have put their son at risk. However, the family was determined to give their son the opportunity to go to daycare despite the disease. The daycare is committed to the well-being of children in the community, and they are proud of what they’ve accomplished. In fact, the daycare staff have continued to maintain relationships with former families.
Centre excludes children with special needs
Some Whangarei daycares choose to exclude children with special needs. Some parents view inclusion as a resourcing issue, while others see it as a human rights issue. Inclusion can be difficult to achieve, and some teachers find it difficult to persuade parent committees to spend extra money on centre environments or curriculum modifications. Those who are supportive of inclusion see inclusion as a good thing.
While there is no legal reason to exclude children with special needs, it is important to understand that they may have a broader range of challenges than typical children. For example, a child with asthma may need extra help to breathe. Another child with a severe allergy may need daily medication. If you notice any of these problems, you may want to contact your child’s physician or local Whangarei daycare’s manager and discuss your concerns.
Centre promotes inter-generational relationships
A Whangarei daycare centre is promoting inter-generational relationships amongst the children. This type of relationship supports kids in many ways. It helps young people connect with their culture, family and community. Many intergenerational relationships have been damaged by social injustice, migration and other factors. But, it can also build resilience and create a sense of belonging. Here are some ways to foster inter-generational relationships in your child’s early years:
Lucy Adlam, a 29-year-old mother of two, has established a programme in Whangarei which brings young children and the elderly together. In her intergenerational playgroups, children sit on one side of the circle, while older people sit on the other. When parents and elders interact, meaningful conversations can arise. Lucy started the programme when she lived in Australia and moved to New Zealand 18 months ago. She says the results have been amazing.
Centre promotes Te reo Maori as a living language
A Whangarei daycare is using the power of the Maori language to help its young learners develop a deep connection to the culture. Teachers are using their skills to create an environment that nurtures the Maori language. Teachers are teaching children with various levels of learning needs, including those with special needs. They are also encouraging children to speak and write Te reo Maori.
Teachers at Whangarei daycare are focusing on teaching the language in a bicultural manner. They are using a Maori language teacher who recently completed a te reo Maori course to introduce the children to the language. Moreover, the centre has set up a te reo Maori centre, which provides visual aids to aid the children’s learning. The teachers also hold monthly meetings to discuss and review te reo Maori words.