Recent testimonials from our members
1. Jean Rockel
Senior Lecturer, School of Teaching, Learning & Development
'I would like to express my appreciation for all the benefits I receive as a member of NZCA. As a teacher-educator who needs to be in close touch with teacher issues and the interpretation of policy into practice, I value my membership of such a large and experienced organisation with a leadership team who always seem to be at the heart of things. I enjoy the national conferences enormously - to catch up with friends and colleagues in ECE and to be inspired by national and international speakers. I appreciate all the up-to-date notices that help me to keep up with the ever-changing state of play in early childhood and care services today.'
2. Gillian de Rose
Supervisor, Miramar Baptist Childcare Centre, Wellington
'Miramar Baptist Childcare Centre staff have found the support provided by NZCA invaluable. We have participated in the Annual Conference, professional development for Kei Tua o te Pae Assessment for Learning, Fuel and Employment Relations workshops.
The Association provides an excellent forum for the centre management and staff to express their views on events in the early childhood sector and also keeps us informed about the most current news and views relating to the early childhood sector.’
3. Wendy Logan
General Manager, Nelson District Free Kindergarten Association
‘Since we joined NZCA five years ago we have found many benefits of being a member including the discounted rate for attending the Association's Annual Conference. We've found this to be one of the best early childhood conferences held in New Zealand. It is very well organised with fantastic guest speakers and practical workshops. The bi and multi cultural commitment of the Association I have observed at these Conferences provides a great role model for the early childhood sector.
I also appreciate the timely updates on the lobbying the Association is involved in, being asked for feedback on policy changes and being kept up to date with the many changes that are occurring for the sector.
The part that the Association plays in the negotiation of the Early Childhood Education Collective Agreement (formerly known as Consenting Parties) is vital for our childcare centres and to obtain pay parity for all early childhood teachers.’
4. Christine Stewart
North Haven Childcare and Education Centre, Timaru
'NZCA provides great advice and courses relevant to maintaining quality teaching and management practices.'
5. Jo Clark Chairperson
Mana Montessori Parent Management Committee, Porirua
'Your updated Handbook is a fabulous resource. Just the thing we need at the moment as we update job descriptions, employment contracts, and committee responsibilities - now we have something to check against to ensure we have covered all the bases.
Thanks also for the other great information available from your site including advice on running an AGM (a useful checklist) and having all the KiwiSaver information in one place.'
6. Lynda Richards
Babyspace
'Thanks for the regular updates of the important issues in Early Childhood, they are well presented, keeping my team informed and providing the opportunity for us to have a voice!'
7. Raewyn Berkahn
Box Hill Kids
'I have always appreciated the quality support that I have been given as Supervisor/Manager of my centre. I am trained as a teacher and have had little formal training in areas such as: staff management, employment law, financial management, and legal requirements of operating a centre on a day-to-day basis. One course I did attend around these areas was run by NZCA; run over three single days, with a few weeks in between to allow us to ‘process' the information we had received. This was a very effective way to learn, and I still use the knowledge I learnt on that course. In addition to this, when I have had questions about anything to do with my role, I have always found the staff at NZCA to be helpful and professional. If they couldn't answer the question themselves, then they either went away to ask someone else or referred on to an appropriate person. I have always found their advice to be very helpful and supportive, and of the highest quality.'
