Nominations for New Zealand Homebased Educator of the Year

Nominations for New Zealand Homebased Educator of the Year

The New Zealand Homebased Early Childhood Education Association in conjunction with Planwise Financial Services today announced the nomination process for the inaugural award of New Zealand Homebased Educator of the Year.

Carol Stovold, the president of the Homebased Childcare Association said “For many years teachers working in the education sector have been recognised for the significant contribution that they make to children’s learning and the teaching profession. Homebased Educators regardless of whether they hold a current teaching practising certificate or not are currently unable to be nominated for these awards.”

The New Zealand Homebased ECE Association and Planwise Financial Services who have sponsored this award, felt that it was time that the contribution that educators and nannies make should be recognised and celebrated for the quality teaching they provide in homes and communities throughout New Zealand. Managing Director of Planwise Financial Services Limited, Bruce Cortesi, who is also the Chairman of the NZ Professional Advisers Association last year announced his intention to sponsor this award. Bruce Cortesi said “Homebased Early Childhood Education is becoming a preferred alternative to more traditional channels such as Centre Based options. Had Homebased in its current form been available when my children were younger it would have been in my opinion an advantage to their early learning experiences. Being the Chairman of another industry Professional Body, we saw the need to recognise members who epitomize excellence in our industry. This has been hugely rewarding and it is an honour to be able to sponsor an award of this nature for another Professional Industry Body such as the NZHECEA.”

The board of the NZ Homebased ECE Association felt that it was critical that the people who utilised Homebased childcare and education take a key role in nominating the Educator of the Year. Ms Stovold says, “Who better to determine the quality of the childcare and education that the children are receiving than the parents of those children?” Nominations for this award are currently being sought from parents and these nominations will go to an independent panel for selection. The winner of the award will be announced and presented with the monetary prize and trophy at the Annual Conference of the NZ Homebased ECE Association this year being held in Queenstown in September.

The Award Criteria can be found on the NZ Homebased ECE Association website and is open to all Nannies and In home educators across New Zealand who belong to the NZ Homebased ECE Association.

Homebased ECE is the fastest growing ECE sector and the preferred form of childcare and education for over 19,000 children.

ENDS

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