Leadership award for childcare 'inspiration'

Raewyne Bary from the University's Manawatu campus childcare centre is the second staff member in two years to win a Cognition Education Excellence in Leadership regional award from the National Excellence in Teaching Association.

Ms Bary was presented with her award today in a ceremony at Parliament. She has worked for the centre for 16 years and manages Hoiho, one of two infants sections. Parents and other teachers nominated her for her commitment to education leadership.

Centre director Faith Martin says Ms Bary's section played a significant role in the Ministry of Education's Centre of Innovation research project from 2005-08. The research investigated how the centre's attachment-based learning programme and educational leadership within a community of practice impacted on infants' and toddlers' dispositions to enquire and learn.

Ms Martin says research and leadership have helped Ms Bary develop a highly effective infant and toddler programme. "She's an inspiration to her team."

Ms Barry gives presentations regularly at seminars and conferences, and advocates for the importance of allowing infants and toddlers to develop attachment to their primary caregivers and teachers. She says infants and toddlers are her niche. "This is where we need our most highly-qualified people because so much learning occurs in the first three to four years. You have to understand the intricacies and deep importance of emotional engagement of children. Children are encouraged to explore, play, or rest, as they desire.

"The centre's teachers view the children as being capable, competent and powerful. It provides children and families with key teachers - a specific teacher who supports the family by getting to know them really well and picking up on their culture, language, and the way things are done at home. This provides continuity.