Demand for improved childcare training

Press, 15 May 1987, Page 25

Demand for improved childcare training

PA Wellington A survey of childcare centres in New Zealand has shown a strong demand for improved training for workers. The survey of 508 childcare centres was carried out by the Education Department’s research and statistics department at the suggestion of a working party on childcare training. The party was set up last year after the transfer of responsibility for childcare services from the Social Welfare Department to the Education Department. It has been asked to develop training for childcare workers and will use the survey results as background. The survey involved two questionnaires, one to childcare centres and another to workers.

The results of both showed a clear demand

for training of staff presently employed in centres.

Forty-two per cent of centres wanted their staff to have or to be prepared tp work towards a recognised basic qualification and 13 per cent had a policy that all staff should have a recognised qualification.

Ninety-nine centres said they could not find qualified staff, there were not enough training programmes and the programmes were not accessible or relevant.

The survey showed 61 per cent of centres would like to see at least one of their staff given the opportunity to work towards a basic childcare qualification and 63 per cent wanted at least one staff member to have the chance to undertake training beyond a basic level.

Training was also important for management committees, according to 64 per cent of the centres, and 62 per cent believed training was important for parent helpers and volunteers.

Suggested training methods included local workshops, discussion groups, seminars or short courses, correspondence courses and supervised training in centres. Staff pinpointed areas in which they felt training should be given and areas of less importance. Topics given low priority included Maori language and catering for the handicapped.

Of 874 workers surveyed, 71. per cent either held a recognised childcare qualification or were studying towards one and 8 per cent who had a qualification were studying for a further one.