We’re enjoying having a bit of fun with our third birthday celebrations – it’s so great to be able to stop and reflect on what we have been able to build and grow together over the past three years.
We are now seeing our early learning sector rapidly change and evolve as the Government’s strategic plans are implemented, pay parity is introduced for teachers and qualification requirements increase for home-based services. We’re also seeing a change to how new services are licensed and approved to minimise saturation of services and support the Ministry of Education to re-gain more control around ensuring high-quality outcomes for children. There is a lot happening at Government and policy level when it comes to the wider early learning sector, and it has only reaffirmed for us how well placed we are to grow our Tiny Nation into the future as the leading provider of the home-based model. Our model has been crafted on what we know early childhood education will look like in Aotearoa in 2025 and beyond. We are well placed to continue to meet the changing requirements of Government and the changing needs of our communities and whānau.
Getting out and about on the road to see each of our regions in action has been a purposeful reminder for me of why we do what we do. Here’s what I’ve seen:
I’ve seen incredible home learning environments with natural resources, nurturing relationships and s-p-a-c-e for children to authentically be themselves.
I’ve seen play groups that foster great community networks, introduce larger group-based options and provide a sense of belonging to Tiny Nation for both educators and tamariki.
I’ve seen incredible bonds not only between educators and their tamariki, but also between our Visiting Teachers and the educators and tamariki that they support.
I’ve seen great passion for, and commitment to, our early childhood sector in NZ. Alongside this sits a deep appreciation for the home-based model and the benefits it has when compared to large group-based care models. Those who work in home-based are our best promoters because they see the magic every day.
Thank you for sharing your magic with me by welcoming me into your homes and communities. I’ve had a great time getting to know our tribe a little more and seeing our Tiny Nation Kaupapa in action.
While we know we have work to do to ensure home-based is recognised for the important contribution it makes to our early learning sector, our roadshows always showcase the work in this space happening at grassroots level as we create the best possible growth and learning environments for our tiny and most vulnerable citizens.
Steven R. Covey summed it up well when he said, “I think the most significant work we ever do, in the whole world, in our whole life, is done within the four walls of our own home.”
There truly is no place like home (or our homes away from home!)