Early

Federation

ANNUAL REPORT 2010-2011

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Goal 1: The Early Education Federation will be recognised as a pro-active national advocate for quality ECE

Key issues identified and responded to this year have included:

ECE Taskforce
Late in 2010 the Minister of Education announced the establishment of a government taskforce that would look into the future for the ECE sector and set the sector on a good, strong path. At the November 2010 Council meeting delegates discussed the establishment of the ECE Taskforce. It was agreed that delegates would encourage members to make submissions to the Taskforce and send copies to their MP and to the Prime Minister. The meeting also agreed to invite Taskforce members to the next Council meeting in February 2011. Delegates met with Michael Mintrom at the February meeting, shortly before the Taskforce was due to submit their report to the Minister.

Sector consultation process
After discussion on the Taskforce’s consultation process at the Federation’s June 2011 forum, the Federation sent a letter to the Minister of Education requesting information on the consultation  process and proposing that working groups be set up to advance the Taskforce’s recommendations and that nominations for these working groups be called for from the sector.

In July 2011 after the consultation process and timeframe had been announced the Federation wrote to the Minister again expressing concern about the timeframe and the process for feedback from the sector on the ECE Taskforce’s report. No change was made to the consultation timeframe but in October the Minister did make an announcement about implementation of the Taskforce’s recommendations. In the media release she advised that sector advisory groups would be set up to work with the Government on:
 * Identifying and improving the practice of low-quality services
* Developing new and improved policies for ECE for children under two years old
* Improving the transition for children from ECE to primary school”

Responses to the ECE Taskforce’s recommendations
At the June 2011 Federation Council meeting, delegates discussed in some depth, the recommendations made by the Taskforce in their report. As a result the Federation agreed to write up reactions and paste these on the website, with the intention of initiating discussion within the sector about the implications of some of the recommendations, and to share submissions within the sector in an attempt to ensure consistency of messages coming from the sector. The Federation also decided to start a Facebook page to encourage discussion about the recommendations.

Change to legislation to increase the maximum number of children underone license
Early in 2011 the Minister announced a decision to amend the legislation to increase the maximum number of children allowed under one license to 150. In response the Federation along with a number of other early childhood organisation s wrote to the Minister expressing concern about reduction in quality in services as a result.
Children’s Commissioner’s report on under two year olds care and education
In March 2011 - Children's Commissioner John Angus released a report from the Commission in which he said the quality of care and education in this country for under 2 year olds was variable and that this was concerning. The Federation put out a media release following the release of the report supporting its findings and calling for better ratios for under year olds and smaller group size requirements.

Green paper on vulnerable children
In September 2011 the Federation wrote to the Commissioner for Children and Sarah Te One Principal Advisor - Education for the Commission to attend the next Council meeting to discussed concerns about changes and proposed changes to government policies that threaten to reduce the quality of early childhood education services. Sarah Te One and the Deputy Commissioner for Children are scheduled to attend the November Council meeting for this purpose but also to provide feedback on the Commission’s Green Paper Position Statement.

Federation Forums
In 2009 the Federation began planning to hold a series of three one-day forums looking at aspects of early education policy. The Federation’s purpose in holding these forums was to influence the direction of ECE policy in the lead up to the 2011 general election.

The first forum “ECE futures: What will ECE look like for children in the future?” was held in February 2010. Two further forums were held over the past year.

November 2010 Forum
On November the 5th 2010 the Federation held the second forum entitled “The economics of early childhood education”. This forum focused on the value of participating in quality ECE, not just for children and their families, but also to society.

Speakers at the forum were:

• Suzanne Snively, (Economist – most recently been a partner with Price Waterhouse Cooper for nine years).
• Major Campbell Roberts, (Director of the Salvation Army's Social Policy Research and Parliamentary Affairs Unit, and Director of its social services in New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga)
• Prue Hyman (‘semi retired’ from her position of Associate Professor of Economics and Gender and Women’s Studies at Victoria University.)
• Charles Waldegrave, (Coordinator of the Family Centre Pākehā Section and leader of the Family Centre Social Policy Research Unit)

Members of the panel held in the afternoon were:

• Diti Hill (Senior lecturer in early childhood education at the University of Auckland);
• Alan Johnson (Child Poverty Action Group); on the panel);
• Michelle Rush (Consultant facilitator and trainer and parent representative)

Notes from the group discussions on the day were recorded and collated. Maureen Woodhams then used this information to develop a report that was posted on the Federation website.

June 2011 Forum
On the 10th June 2011, the Federation held its third forum entitled “Election 2011 - What's in it for young children and their families?”  This forum focussed on policy directions for young children and their families of the main political parties.

Speakers on the day were:

• Prof. Angus Hikairo Macfarlane (Professor of Maori Research, School of Maori, Social and Cultural Studies, University of Canterbury)
• Rosslyn Noonan  (Chief Commissioner, Human Rights Commission)
• Dr. John Angus (Children’s Commissioner, Office of the Children’s Commission)

Members of the panel held in the afternoon were:

• Louise Upston (National Party),
• Sue Moroney (Labour Party),
• Catherine Delahunty (Green Party),

One of the outcomes of this forum was the development by delegates, of a number of questions for the parties represented on the panel. Time constraints prevented all questions being put to the panelists. They were therefore recorded and later sent to the leaders of the main political parties. The responses were then posted on the Federation’s website.

Members of the Planning Committees for these two forums have been: Clare Wells, Maureen Woodhams, Jane Couch, Jean Sunko, Jenny Davies and Helen Baxter.

These forums provided an opportunity for representatives from a variety of early childhood organisations to debate issues and engage in discussion with key players in the sector. They were also an opportunity to raise the national profile of the Federation within the sector.

EC Code of Ethics guardianship
During this year members of the working party that drew up the EC Code of Ethics in the 1990’s approached the Federation asking that it take over guardianship of the code and the accumulated funds that have been gathered from the sale of the booklet and copyright income. The Federation agreed to take over guardianship and is still discussing how the funds could best be used to ensure the code remains relevant and current.

It has been a challenge for the Federation this year to find avenues to influence government policy. There have been few opportunities for delegates to engage in discussion with policy makers. There has been very limited contact with the Minister or the Ministry of Education.    

Ministry of Education Early Childhood Advisory Committee (ECAC)
Over the last year Federation delegates have continued to identify issues of importance during Council meetings to take to ECAC meetings. Those who have attended ECAC meetings have provided written reports on issues discussed at ECAC meetings. The number of meetings was cut this year from 5 to 4 and meetings have become more an opportunity for the Ministry to update the sector on decisions that have already been made and policies that are already being implemented rather than an opportunity for representatives to feedback and debate issues with the Ministry.  

NZ Council for Educational Research (NZCER) Electoral College
The Federation continued to be involved in the election process for NZCER Board members. This year the Federation’s representatives on the Electoral College were the same as the previous year. That is, Marianne Kayes, Clare Wells and Sue Cherrington.

Goal 2: The Early Education Federation will influence the strategic direction of ECE

ECE Taskforce
The Federation invited members of the ECE Taskforce to meet with them. As a result Michael Mintrom ECE Taskforce Chair and Richard Walley (Taskforce Secretariat) attended the February 2011 Council meeting. Michael provided a progress report on the Taskforce’s deliberations so far. Members were able to ask questions and express views about priorities for the sector.

The Minister of Education
The Federation made several attempts to engage the Minister in discussion over the year. She was invited to open the November 2010 Forum, and to speak at the June 2011 forum.  

The Federation also invited the Minister to attend Council meetings during the year to discuss specific issues, e.g. the change to the legislation relating to maximum number of children permitted on one license.

The Minister declined all invitations. Members found this frustrating. Given that the Federation represents the majority of groups involved in the sector, her rejection of all offers to speak fact to face with members of the Federation was viewed by delegates as a lack of interest in consultation. 

Early Childhood Council
As had been agreed at a liaison meeting in April 2010 between Federation delegates and Peter Reynolds (the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer for the Early Childhood Council), Peter attended the Federation Council meeting in August 2010. Issues discussed included:

• Current issues for the Early Childhood Council
• The 2010 Budget
• Funding systems for ECE and the 20 Hours ECE policy
• EC Council and Early Education Federation ongoing relationship
• Qualified teacher targets
• Re-licensing process

Sue Moroney – Education spokes person for the Labour Party

Sue Moroney met with Federation delegates at the August 2010 Council meeting.
Areas covered in the discussion were:

• Sue’s commitment to holding the current government to account
• Development of sound Labour Party policy on ECE
• And the importance of working together to prevent further erosion of previous progress for ECE.

Catherine Delehunty – Education spokesperson for the Green Party
Catherine Delehunty met with a delegation of Federation Council delegates at Parliament in February 2011. Issues discussed were:

• ECE funding systems.
• Participation/parental choice/access.
• The recent government announcement that beneficiaries return to work when a child is 14 weeks old;.
• Teacher qualifications and supply of qualified teachers.
• The need for relevant and affordable professional development in the sector.
• The importance of continuing to strive for diversity with unity.

Law change on group size
In early 2011 government announced a change to the Regulations that would allow individual centres to cater for up 150 children, including up to 75 under 2 year olds, under one licence from the 1st of July this year. The Federation wrote to the Minister voicing its concerns and warning of the threat to quality provision of early childhood education.

ECE Taskforce consultation timeline and process

Goal 3: The Early Education Federation will provide a forum for members to network, debate and collaborate about ECE issues.

The following organisations have continued as members of the Federation this year.

• Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa/New Zealand Childcare Association
• NZEI – Te Riu Roa
• NZ Kindergartens
• NZ Playcentre Federation
• NZ Home-based Early Childhood Education Association
• National Association of ECE Directors in Colleges of Education/Universities
• The Correspondence School Early Childhood Service – Te Kura a Tuhi Early Childhood Service  
• Christian Early Childhood Education Association of Aotearoa
• World Organisation for Early Childhood Education OMEP Aotearoa/NZ
• Bethlehem Tertiary Institute
• Hospital Play Specialists Association of NZ
• Barnardos New Zealand
• EC Leadership
• Montessori Aotearoa New Zealand
• Early Intervention Association of NZ/Aotearoa
• Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics of NZ
• Federation of Rudolf Steiner Waldorf Schools in NZ

The following organisations have joined the Federation this year:

• Nga Whare Whariki Kohungahunga – ECL Te Wananga o Aotearoa
• Men in Early Childhood Education in New Zealand (ecMENz)

Council members
Council members were elected for the year at the Annual General Meeting on the                                                 24th August 2010.  Delegates who attended meetings as representatives of the Federation member organisations during the year were:

• TTPOoA/NZCA – Barbara Allan, Charmaine Thompson
• NZEI/Te Riu Roa – Tere Gilbert, Jenny Davies, Fran Renton, Susan Elliot, Marion Dekka
• NZK - Clare Wells
• NZPF - Maureen Woodham, Veronica Pitt
• NZHECEA - Carol Stovold, Amanda McIntosh
• NA of ECED - Sue Cherrington
• TCS – Te Kura a Tuhi ECS - Ros West 
• CECEAA - Alison Ford
• BTI – Phillip Ozanne
• OMEP A/NZ - Jean Sunko, Debbie Clare
• HPSANZ - Marianne Kayes
• BarnardosNZ - Penelope Janes
• EC Leadership - Natalie Mackenzie
• EIANZA - Victoria Crone
• ITPNZ - Liz Everiss
• FRSWSNZ - Kathy MacFarlane, Marjorie Theyer
• MANZ – Cecelia Woods
• Nga Whare Whariki Kohungahunga – ECL Te Wananga o Aotearoa - Elizabeth Pakai, Mere Ngatai
• Men in Early Childhood Education in New Zealand (ecMENz) – Robin Christie

Membership policies and procedures
Policy and procedures for joining and ceasing membership and payment of annual levies were further formalised and clarified this year. A working group was set up during the year to look at:

• Clarification of process and criteria for reduced annual levy payments.
• Clarification of the period for annual and introductory levies cover.
• Clarification of the process for dealing with late payments.
• Revision of the Federations objectives and formalising the process for resigning or being expelled from membership of the Federation.

As a result, a Membership Form was created that includes the Federation’s objectives. Applicants for membership are now required to complete and sign the Membership Form. The Membership Policy was amended and a revised Membership Clause was drawn up for the Constitution. These will be put to the 2011 Annual General Meeting for approval.

With the number of meetings for the year now reduced, time for discussion on issues effecting members has become evermore valuable. Efforts were made this year to streamline operational issues to ensure maximum opportunity for delegates to discuss current issues and priorities.

Four meetings were held since the last Annual General Meeting. These were in November, February, May and June.

Issues discussed at Council meetings over the last year included:

• Children’s Commissioner’s report on quality ECE for under 2 year olds.
• Role of ECAC in the sector.
• Review of Federation’s priorities and the development of a Federation Manifesto. 
• Maximum group size allowed under the Regulations.
• Limited attendance crèches.
• Changes to funding and employment status for Education Support Workers.
• 2011 Government budget.
• February 2011 funding cuts.
• Federation response to ECE Taskforce recommendations.

Federation Manifesto
At the May 2011 Council meeting, a strategic planning session was held.  Each delegate was asked to identify one key critical issue for the organisation we each represent, the intention being to develop a “statement” that could be supported by all members and could be sent to all political parties prior to the Election letting them know what the Federation stands for, and what we would like all parties to be aware of when developing their ECE policies. At the time of writing this report, the document is still under discussion.

Secretariat Contract
The following delegates made up the Secretariat sub-committee for this year:
Maureen Woodhams
Clare Wells
Ros West

The Secretariat contract was reviewed by the Secretariat sub-committee at a meeting with the Secretary on the 3rd of October 2011. A report from the sub-committee will be tabled at the Annual General Meeting in November.

2010 Secretariat sub-committee recommendation
In 2010 the Secretariat sub-committee proposed that the Federation discuss and clarify expectations of the Secretariat. It also recommended that the Federation membership responsibilities, including to their constituent groups, and how the Federation representation is determined be claridfied. No progress was made on these recommendations over the year but when the sub-committee met in October this year, they developed some reflective questions to support discussion on these questions at the November 2011 meeting.

At its meeting this year the Secretariat sub-committee also recommended that the Secretary put in place a computer record of all files and records to ensure they can be eaily transferred/ passed when need be.

24 memos were sent out to those listed on the Federation’s contact list since the last Annual General Meeting.

Issues covered were:

• Notice of World Teachers Day – NZ Teachers’ Council event - 30 October, 2009;
• NZTC Leadership Day 11th November, 2009;
• Notice of and agenda items for a meeting with the Minister of Education;
• ECE Forum planning;
• Media coverage of referendum on changes to Child Discipline law;
• Endorsement of applications for full registration and for renewal of practising certificates;
• Requests for completion of Form 2 for Charities Commission;
• Forum summary confirmation;
• NZ Teachers’ Council fee increase;

Secretary reports to meetings
Throughout this year the Secretary has sent a report out prior to each meeting with details of correspondence received and sent, a finance report, and any membership issues to be reported. Delegates have been expected to read the report prior to the meeting and have any questions or comments ready. If there is no discussion the report is accepted. This has reduced time spent at meetings on discussing operational issues, leaving more time for other agenda items.

Website resurrection
Due to the disappearance of the website host, the Federation’s website was not operating during the 2009 year. Claire Rumble also gave notice that she would no longer be available as webmaster. Claire has managed the website changes for the Federation for many years and has done a wonderful job, making changes promptly at short notice. Claire recommended a replacement, Jayesh Patel. Jayesh has assisted with the retrieval of the website and has agreed to make additions and changes in the meantime.

Formalising membership of the Federation
With several new groups joining the Federation over the last two years, it was agreed that there should be a more formal procedure for joining. It was agreed at the June 2010 meeting that the Secretary would develop a membership application form, and that this would include an agreement to commit to the aims and objectives of the Federation. 

The auditor has also advised that it would be useful to clarify the levy payment process for new members, e.g. whether groups that join part way through the year and pay and Introductory Levy, should also be required to pay an Annual Levy for that year.

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