Training on the job: How do home-based co-ordinators support carers

Abstract or Summary

History of Education figures that suggest that in 2066 around 9800 children in Aotearoa New Zealand were enrolled in Home-based care, in 202 Home-based networks. To date there has been little documented research on their experiences. This paper presents work in progress on a one-year (2007) Teaching and Learning Research Initiative project, which is considering the impact of the training and support that three Hamilton Childcare Services Trust Co-ordinators provide for home-based Carers in their networks. Hamilton Childcare Services Trust Home-Based Childcare is a teacher-led service and since January 2005 the Co-ordinators have been required to be registered qualified early childhood teachers. Data are being gathered through interviews, observations and documentation to explore the work that Co-ordinators do and the factors that seem to be important in enabling Carers to recognise and respond to children's learning in ways that help to improve the learning outcomes for children. Case study stories will be shared to illustrate the themes that are emerging from the project. The findings have important implications for early childhood education, not only within Home-based care, but also for anyone interested in supporting those who work with young children.