11 May 2004

Waitakere’s Low Rate of Early Child Education Attendance

With the second lowest attendance rate in the region after Manukau, of children in any form of early childhood education (Data Management Unit, Ministry of Education 2001), Waitakere City Council and the Ministry of Education are moving in an innovative way to help address this issue.

But how do you do it and make it fun for everyone? Solution – provide a free day of fun activities, passive information from New Zealand Kindergarten Association, Barnadoes to homebase providers. As Councillor Brenda Brady – Child and Youth Advocate says “It is well documented that the first three years of life, sees the highest levels of brain development, and early education helps set the base for later learning, and provides a good grounding for school”.

Toddler Day Out will run from 10am-3pm. There will be music and entertainment, free giveaways, exhibitors on early childhood education services available in Waitakere and a working learning centre.

The free seminar series will be hosted by guest speaker Dr Simon Rowley and introduced by Judy Bailey will other topics and tips running throughout the day from Choosing a Education Provider to dealing with Challenging Behaviour.

A free bus service from pick up points within the city will run during the day for families without their own transport options.

Have hands on fun making something creative with the artists from Corban Estate Arts Centre. Be Clever with Clay with Kairava Gullatz, learn Primitive Paper Making with Beth Serjeant, join in Weaving with Flax, and explore Creative Constructions. Stage family entertainment provided by the Paua Fritters and Tiare Parataito.

Free giveaway goodies to take home will given out to toddlers on the day after collecting their ‘discover information stamps’.

It’s free, it’s fun, it’s for under Fives!

ENDS

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