I want my job to be more than capturing moments, but being able to challenge, add to or encourage more learning opportunities.

What does the issue of staff to student ratios mean for you as a teacher, and the tamariki you teach?

With the increase of two year olds into our settings, I am finding that meeting their needs coupled with meeting the needs and being able to extend our older tamariki challenging. It is the older children that miss out of having our time and space to master new skills or just have time to have extended conversations. I work in a two teacher kindergarten this is extra challenging.

What will it take to fix staff to student ratios?

To lower the ratios, particularly to account for the two year olds in the setting.

When we fix staff to student ratios, what impact will that change have on you as a teacher, and the tamariki you teach?

This will allow teachers to support the younger tamariki as well as extend and create teachable moments for everyone. I want my job to be more than capturing moments, but being able to challenge, add to or encourage more learning opportunities.