Kindy Culture Shock

[Arwen]

Originally Posted by Mamee & Co

Arwen, it sounds like you will make a brilliant ECE teacher....great mix of freedom and common sense...that is what is needed.

Ahhh, thank you sweetheart, Sounds like you are a brilliant mum!!

[dharder]

Originally Posted by Mamee & Co

I would not be happy on a 15:1 ratio on an outing with rpeschoolers (especially if they were like mine) I could barely control 2 2 eyar olds together outside!

To be fair (who would have thought I come to the defense of an NZ kindy), I very much doubt 1:15 is the rate for an outing. At ours, it was four kids with one parent on an outing, plus the teachers. 1:15, while still higher than in the UK, is more like the rate in kindergarten during the day.

Daniela

[Arwen]

The ratio of children I have had in my care on school trips has ranged between 1:4, 1:3 and 1:2.

We always welcome parents to come along if they can. If there are not enough staff members to ensure these ratios on the day of the trip, then part-time/shifted members of staff are asked to come along too.

[norma]

Originally Posted by Mamee & Co

I would not be happy on a 15:1 ratio on an outing with rpeschoolers

The 15:1 ratio is the ratio at kindy. Parent help is required by kindy and schools for trips off-site and the ratios are much better then.

[Mamee & Co]

Thanks for the reassurance. I thought that there would have to be a better outings ratio. I know from personal experience how much of a rampage twin toddlers can go on!

[Park City Partner]

Hi there. I haven't read the whole thread but wanted to make one comment about accidents. my daughter goes to a lovely pre-schools and if anything happens (more than a bump) to her they complete an incident report that states what happened and how they responded...even if it just giving cuddles...and I am required to sign. I would expect that in any kindy/preschool environment to do the same and I suspect their is probably an Ministry of Ed policy about it. If it isn't being done and it concerns you I would be talking to Kindy about it and perhaps looking at options.

[Arwen]

That's right Park City Partner. There has been an incident book in every establishment I have worked in. The date, time, incident and treatment are recorded. We are then required to either phone the parents or inform them when they come to collect their child.

[Flutterby]

that is actually the same for most establishments, like a club for example.

[movergroover]

Originally Posted by Wooly_Cow

http://www.unicef-irc.org/publicatio.../repcard2e.pdf

...an interesting if slightly old report about child deaths from injuries.....my take on the report is that;

New Zealand is one of the 5 worst countries for childhood deaths by injury along with Mexico, Portugal and the US.

New Zealand has made big improvements in the last 30 odd years BUT not at the same rate as places like Finland.

New Zealand is twice a 'dangerous' for children as the UK, and nearly 3 times as bad for Under 4's

New Zealand’s figures are where the UK's were in the 1970's

Like I said - I'm all for children being allowed to be children and that there will be risks BUT these figures are frightening.

Oh and just look at a couple of countries at or near the top - Greece and Italy - hardly the richest of countries. If they can do it why can't New Zealand?

I know that this thread is quite old but i'm all for children being children ande going off and expolring. I was raised in quite rural areas in England and my parents left me to explore, climb trees, trek through forests, swim in lakes. I ha scrapes and bruises, learnt what to do aand not what to do.

However when it comes to my kids, i'm a little more ovverprotective.

As someone who is still kinda deciding on the move, these stats made me gulp.............. but then most stats are there to make you do that!

Thankfully it sounds like the kindies are all different, some will explain others won't. I will def do my research into policies and procedures

[movergroover]

Originally Posted by Arwen

Coming from the 'wrap kids up in cotton wool' UK, I was quite shocked at the Kiwi's apparent lack of safety awareness. I remember fetching a toddler down from some apparatus on a particularly wet day, as I feared she was going to slip and fall from a great height. I remember my colleagues at the time laughing at me and telling me that "if she falls, she'll only do it once"!!

We def live in a bubble wrap society over here, but this quote is so true. Only do it once, thats how mine have learnt.......