Early Childhood
RS61 collection July 2010
A number of new funding conditions were introduced on 1 October 2009 reflected in the latest funding handbook. One of these conditions includes: funding (November payment) may be withheld in part or in full where an ECE service has not returned its accurately completed RS61 Annual Statistics Form, to the Ministry by the due date.
The RS61 form was sent out to all ECE services in early June with a census week of 21 to 27 June. For most services the form was due back to the Ministry of Education by 12 July.
The data collection unit will be notifying management contacts who have not returned their RS61 and will be following up on any incorrectly completed forms.
Alternatively, for a copy of the form, or for assistance completing the form, contact Elena Koudrina on 04 463 8061 or
email: ece.statistics@minedu.govt.nz
Limited ATTendance centres – update
The Education Amendment Bill (No. 2) was introduced on 17 June 2010, had its first reading on 29 June 2010, and has been referred to the Education and Science Select Committee for report back to the House by 1 November 2010. The Education Amendment Bill seeks the removal of the requirement for short-term childcare centres in recreation facilities and shopping malls (known as limited attendance centres (LACs)) to meet early childhood education licensing regulations. The removal of this requirement recognises these facilities are providing short-term care where a parent is close by.
Until the legislation is enacted LACs are required to continue to meet ECE licensing regulations.
Establishment Funding
Establishment Funding of $249,750 has been approved to assist nine early childhood education services meet licensing requirements. These applications were part of the round four application period, which closed on 30 April.
Establishment funding supports community-based groups in the process of establishing a licensed early childhood education service.
This funding provides a contribution to assist services with the operational costs associated with meeting licensing requirements, including:
- equipment and resources;
- staffing and recruitment costs for qualified, registered teachers.
For further information go to the Ministry of Education’s website:
...or contact your local Ministry of Education office.
Registered Teacher Criteria Workshops
This month all early childhood education (ECE) services should have received their copies of the new registered teacher criteria in the post. Professional leaders of the services need to be aware of the impending implementation of the criteria as they affect both newly provisionally registered teachers (PRTs) next year as well as any teachers renewing their practising certificates.
The New Zealand Teachers Council, Te Pouherenga Kaiako o Aotearoa has been holding workshops around the country for professional leaders and those involved in providing professional development support for PRTs. These workshops have been well supported by ECE leaders and teachers with the feedback showing the participants are keen to start using them with their teachers.
The workshops have provided an overview of some possible resources to use to introduce the registered teacher criteria to teachers. These resources have been appreciated. Participants also valued the clarity of information and the opportunities to discuss the implications with their colleagues both within sectors and across sectors. All resources from the workshops are available on the website.
Most of the North Island workshops have now been completed, with Taranaki and Wellington regions taking place at the end of July and early August. The team will be presenting the workshops in the South Island in August and September. If you have not yet registered, please contact:
Alastair.Mclean@teacherscouncil.govt.nz
The new registered teacher criteria have implications for ECE services’ appraisal processes. This is because the criteria aim to be both aspirational – to guide teachers’ planning for their ongoing professional learning, as well as a measure of acceptable competence.
THINGS TO NOTE
NEXT ISSUE OF UPDATE
The next issue of early Childhood Education Update will be available in Education Gazette volume 89, number 15, which is available from Monday 23 August.
If your service does not currently receive the Education Gazette you can subscribe by going to www.edgazette.govt.nz
PAST ISSUES OF UPDATE
Have you missed an issue of Early Childhood Education Update?
Past issues of the Update can be found at
ORDERING RESOURCES AND PUBLICATIONS
To order early childhood education resources and publications contact Wickliffe.
Wickliffe provides customer services for Ministry of Education publications. If you need to order anything, phone 0800 660 662, fax 0800 660 663 or email:
orders@thechair.minedu.govt.nz.
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