Early Childhood Teachers

  New Zealand

• Auckland: 
Auckland
• Wellington: 
Wellington
• Christchurch: 
Christchurch
• All Other Areas in New Zealand: 
Dunedin,  Nelson,  Rotorua,  Hamilton,  Palmerston North

Length of Position: 12 months - permanent fulltime

Description:
Tasks & Duties
Early childhood teachers may do some or all of the following:

- plan the centre's daily programmes, learning experiences and routines
- implement Te Whariki, the early childhood curriculum
- observe children individually and in groups to identify their abilities, strengths and interests
- constantly assess and record the individual learning and development of each child
- educate and care for children
- discuss children's progress with their parents or caregivers, whanau and other education professionals
- make or adapt learning resources
- model appropriate mealtime behaviour and supervise sleep times
- provide educational opportunities for parents, caregivers and whanau through - activities such as workshops
- attend social gatherings with children and their parents and caregivers
- prepare budgets and order supplies
- help manage the centre
- support children to make the transition to school

Highlights: The outlook for early childhood teachers is good and the number of people employed in this occupation is expected to grow moderately over the next two to three years. Rising demand for early childhood education.

This growth is a result of rising demand for early childhood education, which is partly due to an increase in the number of families whose primary caregiver has returned to work. Parents are also demanding higher quality childcare and lower child/teacher ratios, which creates demand for qualified teachers. There is also high demand for early childhood teachers from Maori and Pacific backgrounds.

Attendance rates at early childhood services have risen and are expected to continue doing so. In 2006, the average amount of time spent by New Zealand children in early childhood services was 18.3 hours per week, an increase from 15.2 hours in 2001(Ministry of Education).

Shortage of trained teachers
Although employment opportunities are growing, there is an ongoing shortage of trained early childhood teachers. This may be compounded by a recent change to the level of qualification required by people in the sector. From 2005, all people responsible for an early childhood centre were required to hold a teaching diploma or degree in early childhood education. All teachers working in licensed centres need to hold these qualifications by 2012. It is hoped pay parity with primary teachers, which began being implemented in 2002 and will continue in five steps over five years, will help to address the shortage.

The new qualification requirements are part of a broader government strategy for the early childhood education sector. The strategy aims to increase participation in, and access to, early childhood education, particularly for groups such as Maori, Pacific people and people in rural areas. It also aims to increase collaboration between early childhood education services and other groups, such as parents and schools, to promote consistency in all aspects of a child's life.

In addition, the strategy aims to ensure the quality of early childhood education by providing lower child/teacher ratios and by making sure teachers meet qualification standards.

Changing role
In recent years the role of early childhood teachers has changed in some areas. The introduction of Te Whariki, the curriculum framework, and more stringent administrative and licensing requirements for early childhood centres has led to greater accountability with respect to children's learning. As a result, teachers are spending more time on administrative tasks such as planning, assessment and record keeping. While early childhood centres generally only use computers for administration, some also use them as a learning tool. Computer programs are used to develop the children's computer skills, literacy and numeracy. The Internet is also used to find information the children would otherwise have little access to.

Qualifications:
Skills & Knowledge
Early childhood teachers need to have:

- teaching skills, and knowledge of different teaching methods and learning styles
- the ability to plan programmes to encourage children's learning and development
- knowledge of early literacy and numeracy
- knowledge of child learning and development, including the ability to identify children with special needs or learning difficulties
- skill in observing behaviour and evaluating children's progress
- communication skills and the ability to relate well to children and other adults
- understanding of a range of cultures
- the ability to supervise children in large areas
- research skills and knowledge of how to access information and resources
- administration and report writing skills
- organisational skills
- problem-solving and decision-making skills
- first aid skills
- Computer skills may also be useful.

Personal Qualities
Early childhood teachers need to be:

- understanding and patient
- creative, imaginative and resourceful
- able to make quick decisions
- firm and fair
- good at listening
- adaptable
- concerned for children
- enthusiastic.

Minimum Education: Diploma/Certification

Salary / Pay: Early Childhood Teacher Kaiako KMhungahunga Salaries Salaries vary, but trained early childhood teachers usually earn between $25,000 and $35,000 per year depending on their qualifications and experience. Head and senior teachers can earn up to $55,000 per year.

Experience Required: yes

Preferably qualified Early childhood teachers, however for the right applicants with a background in child care there are good opportunities.

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi and South African Participants.

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview Required
• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Resume

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home
• Job and Internship Network

The Commonwealth Services Group's Mission Statement: CSG is a team of New Zealanders with a combined experience of more than 30 years living, working and helping people settle and work in the New Zealand & the UK. We specialise in the recruitment of skilled migrants for shortages in the labour market. CSG provides a full range of Immigration & Employment services.

Year Founded: 1998