Information
Kindergarten Movement
Local Committees
Control of the Association
Board of Directors
Equal Employment Opportunities Sub-Committee
Industrial Sub-Committee
The Charter
Early Childhood Regulations
Bulk Grant
Association Office
Association Employees
Areas of Responsibility - In Brief
- General Manager
- Senior Manager/Managers, Professional Practice
- Pouawhina
- Teachers
- Head Teacher
- Support Staff
- Teacher Aides
- Human Resources Officer
- Accounts Administrator
- Receptionist
- Administration Assistant
- Office of the Commissioner for Children
- Ministry of Education (MOE)
- Educational Review Office (ERO)
- Professional Development Providers
- New Zealand Federation of Free Kindergartens (NZFFK)
- New Zealand Kindergarten Inc. (NZKI)
- New Zealand Education Institute: Te Riu Roa (NZEI)
- Special Education Service (SES)
- New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA)
- Teacher Registration Board (TRB)
The kindergarten movement of today consists of a partnership between the local committees for each kindergarten and the Board of Directors. The word kindergarten means "childs garden". The name kindergarten and the concept was developed by Friedrich Froebel over 100 years ago.
Local Committees support the Association by supporting the teachers and by stimulating parent participation in the running of the kindergartens
This is vested to the Board of Directors, as per the Association's Constitution. The Board of Directors is the elected respresentative of the committees. The Board consists of up to six persons elected by committee/individual members and one person elected by the teaching staff. Board members serve a two year term. From the Board, a chairperson is elected for a three-year term, and two deputy chairpersons are elected for two-year terms.The Association's Constitution and By Laws contain the Association 'rules'.All committees are members of the Association and can influence the direction of these 'rules'. Individual membershipis also available on payment of a subscription.
Are elected by the members of the Association (committees/individuals) to:provide governance through the development of policy and set the strategic direction for the Association; receive the Bulk Grant - a ‘grant in aid’ - from the Government;approve/monitor budgets; and appoint a General Manager to manage the overall operation of the Association.
The Charter is a legal undertaking by the Association to the Minister of Education that all reasonable steps will be taken to ensure that its kindergartens will be managed in accordance with the Charter. Each of the Association kindergartens is required to operate under these rules. The Charter is based on the revised Statement of Desirable Objectives and Practices(DOPs), information required by the Education Act 1989,section 312 and the Charter undertaking.
The Early Childhood Regulations impose legal requirements for the licensing and management of all Early Childhood Centres including kindergartens.
Children develop strategies and skills for initiating, maintaining and enjoying a relationship with other children including taking turns, problem solving and negotiating.
The Education Amendment Act 1990 (308/309) entrusts the management (which is defined as the body having control of the kindergarten, i.e. the Board of Directors) to receive the Bulk Grant. The Association uses the Bulk Grant for such purposes as staff salaries, professional development, insurance, maintenance of buildings, etc. When funds allow the Association makes a grant to all committees to assist them in providing resources for the kindergartens.
ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SUB COMMITTEES
The Board has two sub-committees:
Equal Employment Opportunities
Upon implementation of the Employment Relations Bill, Kindergarten Teachers will again become State Sector employees.
Legal Requirements
3 Section 77(D) of the State Sector Act 1988 requires education service employers, including all state and state integrated boards of trustees to:
develop, implement and publish an EEO programme each year;
report annually to the Chief Review Officer on the extent to which objectives in the EEO programme were met.
This committee is an advisory committee, which works closely with the General Manager who acts as the employer in all employment matters.
ASSOCIATION OFFICE - Based in Putaruru
The official office hours are from 8:00am to 5:00pm on week days, (the office is often attended outside these hours).The office is generally open throughout the full year, excepting statutory holidays. An answer-phone and fax are in operation 24 hours per day.
The Association employs:
A General Manager, Senior Manager, Lead Manager and five Managers, Professional Practice, (Managers are based at the Association office, attending kindergartens/centres on a regular basis) a Pouwhina, Centre Managers, Head Teachers, Teachers and Support Staff (based in kindergartens). The Finance Manager, The Office/Payroll Manager, Human Resources Officer, Management Assistant, Administration Assistant, Receptionist, Accounts Administrator and a part time Accounts Administrator (are based at the Association office).
AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY, IN BRIEF
The General Manager's duties are to attend to/oversee the running of the Association within policy and strategic plan set by the Board of Directors, and to act as Licensee for all the kindergartens/centres in accordance with the requirements of the Early Childhood Regulations 1998 and subsequent amendments.
The Senior Manager/Lead Manager and Managers, Professional Practice provide professional advice, support and training for teaching staff inkindergartens. The Senior Manager has overall responsibility for professional practice/development and outdoor playground design.
The Pouawhina provides support and guidance to Association staff on their bi-cultural journey. This assists the Association meeting its commitment to te Tiriti O Waitangi and the provision of a bi-cultural environment in all of its early childhood centres.
Teachers must have Diploma ECE (or equivalent), 1st Aid Certificate and be registered with TRB. Trained teachers provide and deliver educational programmes, under the guidance and support of the Senior Manager/Lead Manager and /Managers, Professional Practice and Pouawhina.
Head Teachers/Centre Managers have professional responsibility for the professional management of the kindergartens/centres and also fulfill the duties of a Teacher.
Teachers attend to the planning and delivery of quality educational programmes in the kindergarten.
Support staff and Teacher Aides are employed in our early learning centres and some kindergartens.
Support Staff assist teachers with administration, resource development and caring for children.
Teacher Aides work directly with children under the guidance of trained teachers.
The Human Resources Officer is responsible for secreterial duties for the appointment process for kindergartens and overseas office administraton.
The Office / Payroll Manager is responsible for the payroll system/processes, and oversees general office administration.
The Administration / Assistant is responsible for assisting the General and Senior Manger and assists with general office administration, relief reception and data entry duties.
The Finance Manager attends to the Association accounting processes through to audit. This includes management of the kindergarten central billing system. Audit of the kindergarten fundraising accounts and overseas the Associations insurance needs.
The Receptionist is responsible for reception and administrative duties and functions to ensure competent and timely office services and administrative support.
The Accounts Administrator and Part time Accounts Administrator is responsible to the Finance Manger and assists with the processing of accounts for payment. The part time accounts administrator is also responsible for the administration of cleaning contracts and is the grants co-ordinator for the Association.
Children develop an understanding of the nature and properties of a range of substances, such as finger paint and bubbles.
Office of the Commissioner for Children
The Ministry of Education administers the policy direction set by the Minister of Education. The Ministry requires Licensees to ensure compliance with licensing requirements, as specified in the Early Childhood Regulations 1998.
Educational Review Office (ERO)
The ERO reports to the Minister of Education on compliance, within Early Childhood Centres in New Zealand including kindergartens and Association, with the requirements of the Early Childhood Regulations and the attainment of Charter objectives.
Professional Development Providers
The Association provides quality professional development opportunities for all staff on a regular basis. In addition Early Childhood Development (ECD),Colleges/Universities/Schools of Education and other private providers provide opportunities for professional development training under contract to the Ministry of Education.
New Zealand Federation of Free Kindergartens
(NZFFK)
The New Zealand Federation of Free Kindergartens consists of the Central North Island, Franklin, Waikato, and Wellington Region Associations. Dannevirke Association is an associate member of the Federation. The purpose of the Federation is to provide support for each other and to join in lobbying, as required, for kindergartens.
New Zealand Kindergarten Inc.
(NZKI)
The remainder of the kindergarten associations (excluding Auckland and Southland, who are independent) are affiliated to NZKI. NZKI and NZFFA often work together as Kindergartens-NZ on matters of national or common interest.
New Zealand Education Institute:
Te Riu Roa (NZEI)
The union, which represents a number of the teaching staff.
Special Education Service (SES)
Contracts to the Government for provision of programmes to meet children's special needs. Employs (ESW) Education Support Workers to assist children with special needs in early childhood centres and schools.
New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)
Responsible for recognising professional qualifications and the development of unit standards.
Responsible for the registration of teachers.
Children develop self help and self care skills alongside positive attitudes towards eating.