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STRATEGIC PLAN
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MISSION STATEMENT
During the 1970’s early childhood
organisations recognised the value of establishing an organisation
that could promote closer ties, identify common issues and assist
organisations to work together to achieve shared goals for the early
childhood (EC) sector as a whole. Representatives from a small group
of EC organizations had met from time to time over the years but it
wasn’t until 1986 when six national organisations met at a Lopdell
House course in Auckland, that firm plans were made to establish a
Federation.
This group was made up of representatives from the
NZ Childcare Association, the NZ Early Childhood Workers’ Union, the
NZ Free Kindergarten Teachers’ Association, the NZ Free Kindergarten
Union, the NZ Playcentre Association and the Te Kohanga Reo Trust.
They identified the initial aims of the Federation as promoting,
enhancing and developing ECE through discussion, public awareness,
political lobbying and mutual support. A detailed proposal was
developed, setting out options for the Federation’s structure and
its operation. The proposal was agreed to by each of the individual
organisations, and a Constitution was drawn up. Although the group
continued to meet regularly, the first Annual General Meeting was
not held until 1991. At this meeting, a commitment was made to widen
the membership and invitations were sent out to all the major
national organisations with an interest in early childhood
education. By 1994 membership had grown to 13.
In 2005 the Federation drew up a long term Strategic
Plan and later that year as part of a goal to become more
influential, renamed itself as the Early Education Federation.
The Federation continues to work toward meeting
its strategic plan goals by making submissions to government on
issues of common concern, leading campaigns, taking delegations of
sector representative to members of parliament and by meeting
regularly with government ministers, and government department
officials. Membership now stands at 17.
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