HELO calls for new ERO framework for all ECE service types

9 May 2013

HELO calls for new ERO framework for all ECE service types

Home Early Learning Organisation, HELO, president Jenny Yule said today the Education Review Office’s (ERO) new reporting system should be applied sector wide.

Ms Yule said that recent Government reports show that some ECE service types are falling short of official standards for children under two years of age. Using the new review methodology sector-wide will help parents see the benefits of home-based.

“The New Zealand education system has created a perception that qualified teachers are a pre-requisite to quality.

“A loving relationship built on trust and respect supersedes any formal qualification on paper for raising and caring for children in a child’s first three years.

“Young children are wiring up their human operating systems during the first three years of life and they need to be with someone who offers consistent one-on-one care and education. More New Zealand families are recognising this which shows in the increased numbers of parents now employing nannies, au pairs and home-based educators through licensed Ministry of Education providers,” Ms Yule said.

Since 2003 there has been a 92.1 percent increase in enrolments in home-based services, and only a 49.1 percent increase in education and care services showing that parents are now understanding the science behind the importance of the first three years of life and choosing home-based ECE.

HELO is also concerned that Unicef figures show 32% of New Zealand children under the age of three are enrolled in care outside of the home, compared to the OECD average of 24%.

HELO is meeting with ERO to support its work programme and priorities to help understand the quality of the home-based sector, as more families choose home-based childcare over daycare centres.

“The first three years of a child’s life is the most critical time for brain development where they need consistent one on one care and education. Regretfully modern large group childcare centres, with changing carers compromise one-on-one high quality care, and a personal adult–child relationship to support the critical stages of early brain development,” she said.

HELO, the Home Early Learning Organisation, is the largest voice in New Zealand advocating for relationship-based early learning and care for under fives. Collectively, HELO represents over 9,000 children and over 4,000 educators, nannies, and au pairs.

For more information on HELO go to www.HELO.org.nz

ENDS

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