workshop, and have found the support of the National Office and the Executive Board to be invaluable. The sharing of knowledge is so vital for smaller centres like ours. The information comes from so many different sources and it is not always easy to decipher, so having a National body that supports the leg work of disseminating the information has meant more time with the tamariki and less with paperwork. Having a knowledge bank to fall back on when you hit a tricky situation helps centre owners feel confident in making the right decisions. What would you like to accomplish as an ECC executive member? I feel I have joined at a time when ECE needs all the support it can get. We are facing so many challenging situations – Covid-19, the mandate, Pay Parity, Pay Equity, Teacher Shortage, the negative (at times) image of ECE, the dismantling of ECE teachers as a profession, the Teaching Council, the lack of teacher training service providers, and the broken funding model. I have been on the Executive for six months now and have worked with the Board on the Pay Parity Spreadsheet (support with opt-in or out), hosted several regional webinars and offered one-to-one support to other centres. I look forward to several projects I am working on with the Executive members to bring about change and support for our sector. I want to continue to support our sector and the people in it. I believe we have an amazing ECE environment and we need more stories about all the good things that are happening in the world of ECE and the amazing things owners and kaiako are achieving each and every day. I want to raise the profile of an ECE teacher – so children stand up and say – I want to be an ECE teacher when I grow up. (Whew!) Biggest challenge facing ECE today? Funding in a nutshell! The teacher shortage, the image of ECE – all the issues I’ve just spoken about – all come back to a broken funding model and I want to be part of the change that fixes it. What makes a great leader? Finding the best in people and making them shine. Supporting the team to achieve personal and professional goals. Being humble and admitting when you are wrong. Alongside celebrating together with laughter, empathy and finding the joy in each and every day. How do you unwind after a busy day/week? We are lucky to have an abundance of produce, and there is nothing nicer than picking fruit or vegetables from the garden and making a delicious meal for loved ones. I read a lot – (thank goodness for Kindle). I look at my bike quite often – and get on it sometimes. And I love hanging with my children – they are at such an interesting age (although my colleagues tell me I’ve been saying that since they were born). I love finding out what makes them tick, what their passions are, and generally continuing to learn about them. QUARTER PAGE QUARTER PAGE As the saying goes, timing is everything. If your cash flow could do with a breather, we can help Would amagic beanbehandy right now? 0800 777 559 childcarefinance.co.nz No giants. Just trusted cashflow support for childcare centres. EXPERT support from childcare centre specialists 60% Early access of up to of your next bulk funding payment Advances available in multiples of $5,000 NO FIXED term contracts Same day approvals; minimal paperwork Fast-track your next bulk fundingpayment Contact us now Audit@williambuck.co.nz | 09 366 5000 From $835 + GST Easy to follow guide and tailored templates to use We audit privately owned centres nationwide and community based centres in Auckland to comply with MOE requirements William Buck is a preferred supplier to the Early Childhood Council Get your 2022 AUDIT sorted now! March 2022 { 17 }
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