Kia ora koutou katoa and season greetings to you all. There is a lot to read in what feels like a bumper issue! The ECC’s new CEO Simon Laube discusses the recent challenges the ECE sector are currently facing and the need for the ECC to future focus priorities to support members in his first CEO Message, on page 8. Sue Kurtovich, who many of you will know and have worked with in her role as the Interim ECC CEO along with her many years of working and supporting many in our sector shares her perspective on why we are and have been for a while, experiencing a teacher knowledge. Sue’s knowledge of our sector is second-to-none, and you can read more on page 12. Both of these editorials are important reads to both understand the challenges we face and the breadth of the work ahead. On page 18 Maria Cooper and Louise Gorst share their initial impressions and reflections on leadership in Pasifika-led, multicultural ECE settings from their recent research. This is an informative read, with much to take-away in your own practice and understanding within your leadership practice and working with the Pasifika children and families you serve. EC-Menz offers plenty of reasons why we need to advocate for more gender-balance within our early learning centres on page 24. And if you are a male ECE teacher or support gender diversity in ECE check out page 14 for some information on the EC-Menz National Summit 2022. For the last 1 ½ years we have been working under the shadow of Covid19, and it’s wearing many of us down. If you are struggling head to page 15 to find out where to go for support. And if you are an ECE member, are you utilising all the support that the ECC is offering members? To find out how the ECC are supporting centres, go to page 10. Alongside these support avenues three early learning centres have shared with you all how they are working under Covid19 restrictions – the challenges and the benefits, go to page 26 to read more. Thank you to these centres for sharing their stories. For some practical advice go to page 30 to read how you can improve the ventilation in your centre. Page 32, offers some food of thought on how change, whether we like or not is here, and how can we work with it and innovate to keep moving forwards! And if you are feeling Covid19 fatigue and need some light inspiration, go to page 36 to reflect on the role of humour within your daily teaching, and turn your frown, along with the tamariki you teach, upside down! Thank you so much to our many summer contributors, your support is always appreciated. If you’d like to contribute an article to Swings & Roundabouts, we’d love to hear from you, especially on the topic of how you are surviving this pandemic, alongside supporting your ECE whānau (from kaiako to tamariki to whānau). There are some inspirational stories within our ECE sector in how centres and kaiako are supporting whānau who are struggling either financially, spiritually or mentally. Have a safe and relaxing holiday break with your loved ones this Christmas. Ngā mihi Trudi Sutcliffe Editor Ka pū te ruha, ka hao te rangatahi. The old net is cast aside, while the new net goes fishing. FROM THE Editor Specialising in the construction of ECE Centers Call us today for a free no obligation consultation 0800 439 439 pinkconstruction.co.nz December 2021 { 7 }
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