Te Whaariki Professional Development

Programmes within Te Whaariki professional development enable centres to determine their focus of interest for professional development. Together in partnership with experienced facilitators, programmes promote the importance of context specific professional learning. Programmes offered include:

All whole centre (in-centre) professional development is grounded in Nga Kaupapa Whakahaere - Principles of Te Whaariki and supported by action research and the self-review process.

The aim of this professional development programme is to increase teachers’ and centres’ capability and capacity to support and sustain improved positive learning outcomes for children.

Centres enrolled in professional learning and development will identify a focus relevant to their centre and will be supported by a facilitator who will work with and alongside them.

Professional development requires the commitment of the whole centre in determining an area of focus, making decisions, and attending meetings. Professional development involves a facilitator coming to your service to support teachers to engage in professional learning.

The length of the professional development is decided in collaboration between the facilitator and the centre to ensure a responsive and effective approach. Centres can register interest in engaging in professional development of between 6 - 30 hours.

Cluster Programmes enable the opportunity to collaborate and network with other services. Cluster programmes provided in 2009 are focused upon leadership and ICT.

Leadership Clusters - For Beginning Leaders in Early Childhood Centres (Auckland & Whangarei)

The leadership programme is an in-depth professional development programme for beginning leaders in early childhood who are dedicated towards enhancing their understanding and practice of leadership. This programme involves leaders attending cluster workshops followed by in-centre mentor support from the facilitator.

To request more information about the Leadership Cluster email: ecps@auckland.ac.nz

ICT Cluster Programme - For beginners (Auckland and Whangarei)

The ICT (Information Communication Technology)cluster programme is designed to build and support the confidence and capabilty of teachers in using ICT in early childhood services. The ICT Cluster is a practical hands-on learning programme and will support participants to develop foundation knowledge, confidence and capability in using ICT to support teaching and learning.

This professional development programme involves:

• Educators attending cluster workshops
• In-centre professional support from a facilitator

Centres wanting to participate in this programme can nominate up to three teachers to attend clusters. Clusters will involve the commitment to attending two, four-hour workshops.

In-centre professional support will also be provided by the facilitator, who will continue working with and alongside educators to support the implementation of practices and approaches in your centre.

ICT Clusters are offered in the Auckland and Whangarei regions.

To request more information about the ICT Cluster email: ecps@auckland.ac.nz