Why we need registered teachers in early childhood sector

Media Release – 10 October 2013

Why we need registered teachers in the early childhood sector

High quality early childhood education provides a critical foundation for children's learning.

"The New Zealand Herald's article reinforces yet again the importance of qualified and registered teachers," says Dr Peter Lind, Teachers Council Director.

"The Council strongly advocates the employment of 100% qualified and registered teachers in the early childhood sector to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children.

"If a person is not registered, they cannot be investigated through the Teachers Council's disciplinary processes and won't be held fully accountable for their actions.

"There is still a high percentage of unregistered staff members in the early childhood workforce, which means anyone who has engaged in serious misconduct can only be managed and disciplined by the employer.

"If an unqualified and non-registered person is dismissed or they leave their employment due to a complaint, they can easily move on to another childcare education service because they have not been made as professionally accountable for their actions in the same way as a registered teacher would. The employer of a registered teacher in this situation would have to make a mandatory report to the Teachers Council.

"Registered teachers who have been investigated by the Teachers Council and censured or deregistered as a result will have their record annotated on the Teachers Council public teaching register. This means the public can have greater confidence in registered teachers," says Dr Lind.

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