The work of the Waekura working group on behalf of the early childhood movement in Aotearoa

Written By Kim Manunui

As we have not had a meeting of the Waekura group since last September, I thought it might be a good idea to give you all a run-down of some of the work we have achieved (and some is ongoing) since the formation of this group, and the time I started taking the minutes for the group, back in June 2016. People often wonder how their SEANZ levies are being used. Early childhood levies to SEANZ are utilized within the Waekura budget.

  • We worked with Herbert Wolpert on our Mission and Vision statements and created a strategic plan

  • We meet face-to-face as this has proven to enhance the productivity

  • Representation of all the centres in Aotearoa/New Zealand

  • We spend time each meeting deepening our understanding of anthroposophy

  • Organised an Early Childhood conference in 2017 and planning one for 2024

  • Created the Essentials of RS/Waldorf Early Childhood Education, to be used internally and as a document for outside agencies, like ERO and MoE

  • Created professional Development days for the whole country on Assessment and Finances/Funding

  • Made submissions to the Ministry on changes in Te Whariki legislation and around pay parity

  • Keep abreast of how the centres around Aotearoa are doing and the needs they have

  • Support centres in need with mentor visits or specific resources to get through ERO and/or Ministry challenges (policy and procedures)

  • Visiting all the playgroups around the country on a yearly basis

  • Support the needs of the Birth-three centres in the country

  • Evaluate and ascertain the relevance of the content of the NZSTD-EC diploma course

  • Create the Membership criteria to belong to SEANZ and monitor the roll-out of these

  • Staying abreast of international trends and development by having a delegate on IASWECE

  • Worked with Dr Anita Mortlock from Victoria University lecturer on Te Whariki learning progressions framework and developed a draft exemplar for maths. 

  • Worked with IASWECE and Dr Neil Boland on a Covid research project resulting in a publication of a local, Australia New Zealand article and an international article 

  • Worked with Dr Neil Boland from AUT and Dr Anita Mortlock from Victoria University on teacher lead innovation fund project resulting in peer reviewed articles on creativity.  

  • Made submissions to the Ministry of Education on changes in legislation gazetting Te Whariki and around pay parity

  • Stayed abreast of national developments for ECE by having a delegate at ECAC and advocating for the interests of our centres

  • Work on criteria for responsibilities of Waekura

  • Create an overview of all the ERO reports of our centres nation-wide

  • Represent Waekura on the SEANZ Board

  • Prepare for the establishment of a Waekura website

  • Compile and distribute the Waekura newsletter 4x per year

 

The schedule for meetings in 2025 can be found on the SEANZ calendar.

Kim Manunui

Hi, I’m Kim and I work with a great team to help individuals, as well as small and not so small businesses get their message, product and services to the world using digital media and creating wonderful websites that don’t cost the earth.

I was born in Canada, and grew up around Vancouver and the mountains of British Columbia. My love of pristine environments led me to New Zealand and eventually to the mountains, lakes and rivers of the central North Island which is home. My family’s heritage is here, and it’s from here that Korio traverses the planet.

The digital world is never static and neither are we.

And I say ‘we’ because I work with an awesome group of talented people who I gather together as required to complete a project.  Whatever your business, not-for-profit or individual needs are we gather the best team to get the job done.

Collaboratively we are creative, share sustainable values and work hard for great outcomes because that’s the buzz of satisfaction that drives us.

If you have an audience and market to reach, we can make that happen. Creative design, words that work and smart behind the scenes stuff that cuts through the online noise. We’ll design your website and then build it. We’ll manage the content as well as all your hosting needs. We can handle your online advertising so you get noticed,
and we’ll manage your social media presence so you get the clicks, likes and engagement to grow your business. All within the budget you set, because none of this needs to cost the earth.  And the job doesn’t stop when your website goes live. We are your virtual business partner.

https://www.korio.co.nz
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