ECE centres ‘kiddie prisons’

More than 200,000 Kiwi kids are enrolled in early childhood education – but teachers say parents don’t know what happens behind centres’ closed doors.

A ‘‘bums on seats’’ approach puts children’s safety and development at risk, teachers told Stuff.

The 300 services whose licences were downgraded in the past two years were the tip of the iceberg, they said, and problems could go undetected for years.

Stuff readers working in ECE joined the chorus of teachers voicing concerns about the sector. Here’s what they had to say.

True colours

‘‘I have been an ECE teacher for nearly 25 years. I have three children and I never wanted to put them into daycare.

‘‘My youngest child did attend but that was only once she was was able to talk so she could tell me everything that happened.

‘‘I had been around long enough to know how the majority of teachers work. When parents drop off their children, the teachers can be very fake and as soon as the parents have gone, you can see their real colours shine.

‘‘As for the big corporations, they are pretty much like a farm – they only seem to care for the financial input they get from children.’’

Bullying

‘‘I’m a qualified teacher and have left the sector due to bullying and an environment that does not foster best learning for children.

‘‘I definitely would not put my children in a centre environment – or should I say ‘kiddie prison’.

‘‘Children are cooped up for long periods of time, probably spending more time there than they do at home with family.’’

Shambles

‘‘I began my career as an early childhood teacher in the 1990s, in a decade that valued teachers.

‘‘Fast forward to 2010 onwards and the sector is a shambles.

‘‘Having just 50 per cent qualified teachers is fine, with one teacher to every 10 children aged between 2 and 5. Anyone who has looked after only one 2-year-old will realise how much attention toddlers need.

‘‘After 20 years, I’ve walked away from my career in ECE and guess what? My stress is gone.

‘‘The quality of ECE has dropped significantly and it will take better funding to claw its way out of the black hole.’’

Paperwork

‘‘I witnessed a centre that Reader report

changed managers and passed an ERO report after they had been in charge for five months.

‘‘ERO looked at paperwork for around two days but hardly came on the floor. If they had, they may have seen some unhappy and stressed teachers.

‘‘Anyone can fake paperwork but you can’t fake an unhappy, stressed environment.’’

Huge workload

‘‘As an early childhood teacher working in a centre I love, I know there’s still plenty of good in ECE.

‘‘Supporting an environment where children can be happy, make discoveries and quench their thirst to learn is something our teachers are passionate about. It’s a huge workload and you are constantly learning; however, when you have a team that is truly passionate about making their second home a space for children to thrive, you see amazing things happen.’’

‘‘The quality of ECE has dropped significantly.’’

Fortunate

‘‘At my children’s centre, every kaiako is wonderful in their own special way, educating children about everything from tikanga Ma¯ ori, sustainability and multiculturalism to healthy eating and environmental issues.

‘‘In contrast, I relieved at a nearby centre which was very different. It wasn’t bad but there was concrete instead of gardens, and children’s learning and exploration was often hindered. I quickly realised my wha¯ nau were very fortunate with our ECE.’’