Other updates Key achievements I’m really pleased to advise that ECC’s Swings & Roundabouts editor, Trudi Sutcliffe, has recently graduated with a Master of Education with Distinction at Te Herenga Waka / Victoria University of Wellington. Trudi is a highly experienced early childhood teacher. I asked Trudi what she enjoyed most from her study, she said: “I did love exploring leadership and deepening my knowledge in how to lead both as a teacher or within a leadership role with dignity and authenticity within a transformative leadership framework.” We are proud of you Trudi. ECC Surveys ECC’s October Sentiment Tracker survey (of ECC members) collected impressive and insightful data on issues like relief teachers, waiting lists and costs that centres are facing. Thank you to all the members who participated – and to everyone running centres in New Zealand, this is how ECC listens and can be a strong voice for you. The survey report is available for free to members only. ECC’s Wages & Salaries Survey 2022 is in the drafting process. I can advise that the sample size was strong and that the initial results were jaw-dropping! More on this expected before Christmas (survey respondents get a free summary report from ECC soon). ECC is recruiting a policy advisor ECC’s office is located in Wellington. We have a very small team of about six people. We are recruiting a policy advisor to increase our efforts on current issues like Pay Parity. Much of our policy work is focused on the implementation side of policy – often seeking refinements to existing policy and ensuring centres have the capability to understand and comply. This policy role would suit someone with knowledge of the early childhood sector and strong policy/analytical/writings skills. Everything we do is about helping centres to be successful and reducing unnecessary burdens. Email ceo@ecc.org.nz for details of the application process and to get a position description. Closes 24 Feb 2023 Why is ECC encouraging centres to contact the Ombudsman? It’s so interesting hearing people chatting about things they think are conspiracies or conniving in ECE. This topic is one of those where ECC has caused a few ripples recently, leading to chatter or disquiet back in the MoE lunchrooms… ECC ran a webinar in late September on the rights available to centres targeted unreasonably by regulators (like the Ministry). We get a high frequency of calls on this from our members, so we have to provide support. It’s not practical for ECC to represent every member but we are able to discern patterns and systematic behaviours that are occurring. If we didn’t act, we would lose members and children would lose their centres when the Ministry cancels licences, for example. Firstly, on licence compliance issues, we encourage centres to get clarifications so they know precisely what the Ministry’s concerns are. You would think that should be a given, but it’s not. Then, if there are conditions being imposed on the licence, the centre should be open and communicative with the Ministry to ensure that their remedial responses will actually alleviate those concerns. If a centre does these steps well then the issues should be able to be resolved. What I see is that many times the concerns raised by the Ministry are unclear to the centre. The issues or concern may vary wildly between what was said by officials during a visit and what is in the letter, or the concerns may be unreasonable (because there’s no evidence to support them) or unjustified (no reasonable person could have the concern or there is no legal basis provided in raising the concern). This is where complaints processes can be so valuable. In most cases, when you are proactive with a government department about your concern you should be able to get a resolution without needing to make a complaint to the Ombudsman. Indeed your strategy should not rely on the Ombudsman – that is a last resort. You are proactive and open about the issues with the department first, and contact the Ombudsman once all else fails. The Ombudsman’s Office faces a backlog of cases to investigate, and timeframes for routine cases appear to be taking 6-12 months minimum. Even if you are in the right, it takes courage to stand up for yourself. Many centres are reluctant to risk it though – and it’s this reluctance we need to change for the good of all centres. We are all quick to agree that expectations on centres have increased steadily and yet imperceptivity in the last decade. We too need to do our bit and expect more from public officials. Asking the question about what’s reasonable is a core part of us living in a free and democratic country like New Zealand. If you do not feel safe, how can you be confident that your centre environment is safe for the children and teachers? ECC Preferred Suppliers There are exciting developments in store for ECC members. I can reveal some of the highlights with you today. Read page 18 to understand more about ECC’s refresh to our Employment Helpline service. This is a free service to ECC members. I warmly welcome Caro Rieger and team from Black Door Law to the ECC fold. Buddle Findlay isn’t leaving us! Buddle Findlay continues to work with ECC on key issues like Pay Equity and providing a wide range of legal advice to members at discounted rates. Employment law matters generally are shifting to Black Door Law from 1 December 2022. We welcome a new preferred supplier – Kindello! Logan Whitelaw and company have created an online platform to help parents choose the right ECE centre for their children. ECC members will receive a discount. We are also working with Kindello around issues like the new network management regulations – an ECC webinar is planned for 25 January 2023 ahead of the new regime starting on 1 Feb. Ngā mihi Simon December 2022 { 9 }
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