Literacy for under-5’s a highly skilled area

1st April 2011 For Immediate Release

Report Recognises Literacy for under-5’s a highly skilled area

An Education Review Office Report into Literacy in Early Childhood Services proves that early childhood teachers need high levels of training and skill to teach literacy effectively to young children.

The ERO review found that in services where educators had strong in-depth knowledge of how children’s literacy learning develops, high quality literacy practices were evident. It also notes the importance of early literacy as the foundation for children’s later learning.

NZEI which represents early childhood teachers says it’s good to see a report which is based on the premise that the care and education of young children is about high quality teaching and learning, not child-minding.

ERO recommends more targeted professional learning and development for teachers to improve their literacy teaching. That backs up a recent Children’s Commissioner report which highlighted the importance of professional learning and development in the quality of services for infants and toddlers.

“Unfortunately the Government’s own priorities don’t seem to align with the ERO report” says NZEI National Executive member Hayley Whitaker.

“Not only has it cut funding to those centres with 100% qualified and registered teachers but it has also cut professional development programmes as well as support grants to new teachers which provide professional advice and mentoring to improve their teaching practice.”

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