Establishing a quality early childhood

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Benefits

• Enables people to achieve their goals more easily
• Valuable as a tool for new Ministry staff learning the ropes
• Staff and public use consistent authoritative information
• Easy to maintain nationwide

About Early Childhood Development

Early Childhood Development (ECD) staff throughout New Zealand provide advice, support, and information about early childhood education and parenting to parents, early childhood centres, playgroups, and the wider community. ECD typically works with many agencies and stakeholders, coordinating and developing services for children in the first five years of life. On 1 October 2003, ECD integrated with the Ministry of Education.

Background to service

Encouraging the development of quality centres supports the Ministry of Education's objective of increased participation rates in early childhood education. It's a complex process preparing to run an early childhood centre. It involves getting to know the regulations and requirements, working to ensure these are met, and then applying for a licence from the Ministry. Early Childhood Coordinators help by providing guidance and support directly to community groups.

The ECD website provides an easy to follow guide to setting up a quality early childhood centre which is segmented into a logical twelve step process. It's an innovative one-stop-shop for people wanting to set up an early childhood centre.

An information-based integrated service

Prior to 1 October 2003 ECD supported community groups wanting to establish a licensed centre. Over time each Coordinator had acquired their own set of hardcopy support documents, with no straightforward way of making sure the information was kept consistent and up to date. Making documents available through an intranet was an obvious solution, allowing ECD to coordinate, update and communicate information across the country to their field officers.

ECD's coordinators soon saw the benefits of the intranet and work began almost immediately to make the authoritative documents available through the public website. ECD put considerable thought into determining how best to present the information to good effect. Close attention was paid to developing a strong narrative to guide people through the process using language that was plain and clear.

The website, now run by the Ministry of Education, links to frequently asked questions; relevant legislation and regulations; pdf handbooks on managing centres; a spreadsheet to download and create an annual operational budget; a checklist of infants' and toddlers' requirements; and a timeline for establishing centres.

The result is a client-focussed service that integrates information provided by as many as 26 agencies and other organisations, including non-governmental organisations like the Royal New Zealand Plunket Society. It is not only easy to get information (by a web link) but it is presented in a context and sequence that guides people from beginning-to-end.

Internet complements existing delivery channels

The web-based service has not replaced established delivery mechanisms. Coordinators still deal directly with community groups, who now often have the website on screen while they are talking to Coordinators on the phone. The site also explains how to get information sent by post, rather than having to download and print it out.

People using the site have found the approach helpful and user-friendly, particularly the depth of information now available online, which would be prohibitively expensive to produce and maintain in print and distribute across the country.

Critical success factors

• Clear vision of what needed to be achieved
• Business rather than technology drivers
• Working across the organisation to get support and commitment to the project
• Building a team with in-depth knowledge of the business, a passion for delivering excellent service and a broad base of skills
• Guiding clients through a process, not just presenting disconnected information
• Effective use of the web as a medium for linking disparate information sources
• Close attention to detail, particularly language, to make the service easy for clients to use.

Whose information is linked through this service?

• Architects Education & Registration Board
• BizInfo
• Building Industry Authority
• Department of Child, Youth and Family Services
• Department of Internal Affairs
• Education Review Office
• Employment Relations Service
• Funding Information Service
• Inland Revenue Department
• Learning Media Ltd
• Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management
• Ministry of Economic Development
• Ministry of Health
• Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs
• New Zealand Building Business Guide
• New Zealand Childcare Association
• New Zealand Companies Office
• New Zealand Educational Institute
• New Zealand Fire Service
• New Zealand Qualifications Authority
• New Zealand Registered Master Builders Federation
• New Zealand Teachers Council
• Occupational Safety and Health Service
• Playcentre New Zealand
• Royal New Zealand Plunket Society
• Standards New Zealand
• State Services Commission
• Te Puni Kōkiri - Ministry of Māori Development
• Wellington Regional Council
• Work and Income New Zealand

See for yourself

http://www.ecd.govt.nz/establish.html