Demand for qualified teachers in Manukau

Demand for qualified teachers in Manukau- Publication date: 9 May 2011

This month, Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa/NZ Childcare Association (NZCA) an early childhood education provider has proudly opened in South Auckland says NZCA Chief Executive Nancy Bell, as they prepare for the official opening of their new Manukau teaching base on Monday 16th May.

"South Auckland is one of New Zealand's youngest and fastest growing regions. It is a culturally diverse area of Auckland with high demand for quality early childhood education. ECE participation is traditionally low in this area with government initiatives in place to remedy this and we feel our presence in the community will support these initiatives and play a part in delivering a high quality ECE teaching professionals through our centre-based Bachelor of Teaching (ECE)."

"We believe our new teaching base location allows us to better serve this growing community. South Auckland is a great fit for our students, lecturers and newly launched Aotearoa-focused degree programme. The programme has a strong cultural underpinning - Māori and Pasifika knowledge is interwoven throughout and it allows students to grasp cultural concepts and values which they can pass to the children in their care and to the community."

Manukau Base Coordinator Maria Huni is enjoying the new base environment. "The team is very excited to be a part of a community that has a strong need for high quality ECE teachers. We are passionate about the ECE teaching profession and we are looking forward to rejuvenating our relationships the local ECE community and being part of improving the quality of ECE in the area."

"The new base is located in Westfield Shopping Mall - students have ease of access to local amenities and convenient travel options. The base is light, newly decorated and spacious, allowing for growing degree classes in coming years."

NZCA staff, representatives from the early childhood community and stakeholders will gather to officially open the teaching base. The event provides an opportunity for the community to hear about the latest developments in ECE in South Auckland.