Report supports qualified teachers in early childhood educat

Report supports qualified teachers in early childhood education

Me whai tohu mātauranga kohungahunga ngā kaiako

Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa/NZ Childcare Association (NZCA) is calling for government to regulate for at least 80 percent qualified teachers in early childhood education services in response to a research report launched in Wellington today. The current requirement is 50 percent, meaning only half the teachers in a centre must hold a 3-year teaching qualification.

NZCA’s research looked at teachers’ work in 10 randomly selected early childhood education (ECE) centres. In half of these centres (referred to as ‘100 percent centres’) all teachers were qualified. In half of the centres (referred to as ’50 percent centres’) between 50 and 79 percent of teachers were qualified.

Lead researcher, Dr Anne Meade said the study showed marked differences in children’s experiences and learning when all of their teachers are qualified. “Children in ‘100 percent qualified’ centres are more likely to have learning conversations with teachers, to partake in shared sustained thinking with teachers and to engage in complex play.

“Under-2s in 100 percent qualified centres experienced quality care giving but this was considerably less likely in ‘50 percent centres’.”

Dr Meade says teachers in ‘100 percent centres’ were more intentional about children’s learning, evidenced through planning, talking with parents and exchanging information about child learning and development. They were better at explaining the theories that supported their practice and their planning was more systematic. The ‘100 percent centres’ explicitly deployed teachers to ensure continuity of caregiving for infants and toddlers.

The research also showed similarities between centres with 100 percent and 50 percent qualified teachers. Children across all centres were found to be similarly socially competent but all centres were found to perform poorly on recognising and representing diverse cultures. Inclusion of te reo Māori and Māori cultural knowledge appeared to be related to teachers’ cultural knowledge rather than qualifications.

At the report’s launch, NZCA Chief Executive, Nancy Bell told a group of sector leaders that the research has important implications for early childhood education policy. “The findings show that under-2s in ‘50 percent centres’ may be experiencing poor quality education and care and this should be addressed with urgency. In addition, children of all ages in ‘50 percent centres’ are experiencing far fewer of the teacher practices that are predictive of later academic achievement.

“Government is currently considering recommendations of two working groups it established to advise on quality improvement across the early childhood education sector. While the majority of services now have 80 percent of their teachers qualified, there are still a significant number at 50-79 percent. Some under-2s will be taught only by unqualified teachers. Our study suggests this will enhance learning disparities.

“We’d ultimately like to see 100 percent of early childhood teachers qualified, however the next step is to regulate to 80 percent.

“In addition, professional development for the sector is needed to improve inclusion of te reo me one tikanga Māori in ECE services and to lift the sector’s ability to recognise and respond to the culture and identity of all children.”

ENDS

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