Six months into the year and a great deal to reflet on. ……………..

· January 2021, new food guidelines and choking Hazards. (Puketeraki – COL) hosted a professional development to support new Learnings around these criteria. This professional development was facilitated by Viv Shearsby. (50) attendees It outlined implications and was able to look at ideas and concerns around the new guidelines/ This professional development then went on to support the roll out of the new cycle of inquiry.

· We then were hosted by our colleagues at Swannanoa preschool. Our Hui looked at what centres required for the roll in Kahui Ako. Outcome was centres wanted to be part of the larger body to have networking opportunities with Primary and Secondary – but also continue networking within our own community. I.e., local Primary – visits to our centres and vice versa. Our Hui also came to an understanding that we did not want to form a “Kahui Ako” side ECE. We would just meet every second Term and the ECE Lead will develop a plan of the year with PLD- that had come from our discussion. (Still looking for a Lead support – person). In our sector

· Ministry – Delivery of Pay Parity, we all got excited and thought ECE luck has changed! However, the Pay parity conditions are causing many a concern- as if centres opt in there is a short fall of what the government funding is to what the centres come up with themselves. This cost then needs to either passed on- to lowering ratios of teachers or increasing parent fees. ☹. Many of us have made submissions against this new scheme, and some services will follow through on a strike July 1 and 2nd. Believe me this has been a blow to confidence and professional integrity of our sector.

· We have booked a Professional Development to support based around Te Koreroreo and to understand – development changes to speech and language. We invite all teachers to join us - Rangiora High -school 30th @ 4.30pm Facilitator Anna and Mary from the Ministry

· KIGS Kahui Ako Innovation groups. We have 7 ECE teachers involved in the KIGS – and feed in from the three KIGs involved is extremely positive.

· Delivery to ECE- from Kelly of the IOS language acquisition plan – October

· Investigating Core – hours of PLD for ECE for the next two terms.

· Our ECE centres – are doing their upmost in supporting whanau and our communities in this time of anxiety and challenges through Covid -. We also recognise the need for well-being and support for our teachers, as we encompass these new challenges of 2021.

ME MAHI TAHI TATOU MO TE ORANGA O TE KATOA