Whānau shares passion for early childhood education

It’s a whānau affair for two sisters and their cousin from Kelston, who share a passion for early childhood education says Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa/NZ Childcare Association (NZCA) Waitakere Base Coordinator Joanna Williamson. All three women recently began their degree journey, studying the NZCA Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) at their local teaching base in Waitakere.

“Toni and Chaise Cook began their teacher training this year with a goal to one day open their own early childhood centre for disadvantaged children. Jamie Paratene, herself a mother of three young children, is passionate about seeing more Māori children succeed in education and believes the first few years is a time of vital learning for young children,” says Joanna.

“The choice to return to study after leaving school was a difficult one but we have found our learning has been well supported. We chose NZCA because of its respected reputation as an early childhood teacher training provider and because we had heard of how supportive the lecturers and pouako are. Classes are a good size and the atmosphere is friendly and accepting of everyone. The lecturers explain things in a way that is so easy to understand. We have all really grown through this experience, we have more confidence, self-esteem and we find ourselves growing as both learners and teachers,” says Jamie.

“We find the Aotearoa-focus of the programme very beneficial. We identify ourselves as Māori and the programme allows us to explore and embrace our cultural identity and learn ways to pass this on to the children in our care. We are really enjoying sharing our learning journey with each other and it’s great to know each day is another step closer to graduation and achieving our goals.”

Studying at the Waitakere teaching base of NZCA is great way to get qualified says Joanna, “The Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) is a centre-based programme where students work in early childhood centres while they study. The ability to earn while studying is what makes fulltime study affordable for many students. Students attend classes at our Waitakere teaching base one day a week and spend a further 12 hours a week in a centre where they are able to implement what they have learnt.”

“Our teaching base in Montel Avenue, Henderson offers welcoming, face-to-face classes and a supportive learning environment. Students can access library, learning resources and support online 24/7 via our e-learning site Pou Manawa Akoranga. We are one of the few education providers who offer a mid-year intake for our degree programme so this is a great opportunity for prospective students.”

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