Stop dividing kindergarten teachers with teachers in early education and care. We are all qualified professionals!

What does the issue of pay mean for you as a teacher, and the tamariki you teach?

Paying me appropriately for the mammoth job I have as a head teacher so I can provide quality for my learners.

What will it take to fix pay for kindergarten teachers?

Parity for all. Stop dividing kindergarten teachers with teachers in early education and care. We are all qualified professionals!

When we fix pay for kindergarten teachers, what impact will that change have on you as a teacher, and the tamariki you teach?

As a head teacher my role is huge!

I do all the administration, finances, health and safety and have overall responsibility for ensuring policy and procedure is met and that regulations and licensing criteria are adhered to.

I not only have all the same responsibilities as my colleagues but I also have to lead my team of 5, ensure they too meet the teaching standards and hold down an entire community!

Somewhere within that I ‘teach’ and assess children’s learning, maintain relationships with other services and advocate for my tamariki to have their right to quality education. I either need to be paid appropriately for my mahi or I need an administrator. If this is not addressed asap the impact will be simply another quality teacher stepping out if the sector.