Quality in Action

This wonderful resource is not available any more and although there is a version of it here on the Ministry of Education ECE site, it is much friendlier viewed in its original format. So apologies if this breaks any copyright rules but it should be available.

The book was originally published as a resource to guide ECE professionals in implementing the Desirable Objectives and Practices (DOPS) which were mandated for licensed ECE services. The DOPs have been subsumed into the current Licensing criteria and Regulatory Framework but this is still a very useful document for teachers.

Orientation week

So here is another group of fresh-faced, occasionally terrified looking student teachers! What a week for them. Here on the last day of orientation I am sure their brains must be pretty fried and can only hope that some of what I am about to share about Moodle will go in - even if it is only how to log in and find the how-to video :)

Orientation is always a good time for me to remember what this shift in identity is like for these new teachers and to reflect on the effectiveness of my teaching at this time. This year the orientation process is very close to home as my youngest settles into a full time Adv Dip Ballet  programme in Melbourne. Scary stuff.

So welcome to you all. Try and float above the scary feelings. Look after yourselves as you would your best friend. And make use of all the amazing support here at Unitec.

Back at work and ready to Blog

So here I am back in the office. Having updated both my electronic and paper calendars for the years teaching, caught up on emails and atypical assignment marking, I have now decided to be brave and plunge back into my Blog. But it is not a New Years Resolution! They always fail. Just one item I can tick off my list of post-thesis "things I want to do".

I may change the name of this Blog later but for now I am not certain what this will morph into.

I expect to use this space as a portal to other Blogs and websites related to ECE and will happily look at any suggestions for these. Feel free to suggest your own Blogs if they are relevant.

I may well add some reflections on my own teaching as well as comments on political challenges in NZ ECE. There is little chance that these comments will always be balanced or completely objective. They don't have to be. This is a personal Blog sharing personal views.

I will also share reviews of interesting books and articles as I read them.

I can see that people are still visiting this Blog quite often. What do you want or expect to find when you end up here? Talk to me. What are you currently reading or researching that relates to ECE? Or to Education in general?

regards

Maureen

Amazing blog post shows off Playcentre

Yes I know. Its been a while... Rather than apologising though for my lack of focus on my blogging I need to mention that the thesis is nearly done and then life will return to normal - or at least my version of normal.

I cant resist sharing this post from a Playcentre Mum. It shows an average but wonderful day in a Playcentre for two sisters. Although the mum mentions writing a learning story for her children I think that this post in itself is a great learning story. Well done Deb! ( and no I dont even know her - it came through my Twitter feed)

New Zealand Playcenter DVD 2011