Table 2 New Zealand Early Childhood Care and Education (Bushouse 2008; ERO 2007)
From: Policy translation for early childhood education and care: the Growing Up in New Zealand approach
Early child care | Characteristics |
|---|---|
Early education and care centrea | 0- to 5-year-olds Private or business owned Traditionally used by working parents, however since the introduction of ‘20 Hours ECE’ more widely used for shorter days or sessions |
Kindergarten | Attended by 3- to 4-year-olds (licenced for children over 2 years) Traditionally morning or afternoon sessions; more recently most offer school length days to optimise ‘20 Hours ECE’ Do not charge fees: payment by donation, typically lower costs. Administered by charitable associations; long history of government funding and partnership |
Kohanga Reo | Māori-led childcare with the goal to preserve Te Reo (Māori language) and Māori culture, and to empower Māori whanau Graduates (Kaiako) of a 3-year diploma—Whakapakari Tohu—allow Kohanga Reo to qualify as ‘teacher-led’ for ‘20 Hours ECE; however, historically this was not sufficient for teacher registration and higher funding rates Declining rolls from a peak in 1994/1995; eligible for ‘20 Hours ECE’ from 2010 |
Pacific Islands early childhood centre | Pacific-led childcare with the goal of passing on Pacific language and culture; may focus on one or several Pacific cultures, and may include a Christian faith component |
Home-based care | Home-based educator providing care for children in the home; supervised by a registered teacher An increasing sector in NZ, there are several large organisations (e.g. PORSE, Barnados) |
Nanny | Private in-home individual care Nannies in New Zealand may have formal qualifications or not, and may be found individually or through agencies Au pairs or nannies may also live in the home |
Playcentreb | Active parent involvement: cooperatively administered and staffed by parents and Playcentre Association Sessional programmes for children from 0 to 5 years Declining rolls; eligible for ‘20 Hours ECE’ from 2010 |
Playgroup | Organised groups where parents meet together with their children Shorter sessions, focused on play programmes; typically unlicenced |