Playcentres are run by a parent co-operative, with supervisors generally watching their own children during sessions.
By Tim O?Connell
Should parents be screened by police before supervising their own children at playcentre? Hutt playcentres have been left stunned by government legislation that would force them to police-vet every volunteer helper walking through their gates. Co-president of the Hutt Playcentre Association Mary Margaret Schuck said she is horrified by the proposal. ?We?re seeing a focus towards parent-led education not being a natural part of a child?s development. ?It just seems everything has become about compliance now.? Co-ordinator for Alicetown Playcentre Megan Nixon is equally perplexed, although she believes that screening has its place in other areas of early childhood education. ?It?s a good idea, I guess, for places like kindy, when you?re leaving your child and then walking away.? Playcentres are run by a parent co-operative, with supervisors generally watching their own children during sessions. Mrs Nixon found the proposal odd. ?As parents, I think we have our own mental vetting system when it comes to who we would leave our children with.? Alicetown runs a parent-to-child ratio of 1 to 5, which is common in most playcentres around the country. Mother and playcentre supervisor Ruth Vaughan agreed with Mrs Nixon, adding that the social interaction outside of playcentre shows a good level of trust. ?Some kids go on play dates afterwards, and parents meet for dinner sometimes. ?We?re really like a big family.? ?? The Education Amendment Bill currently before Parliament forces early childhood centres to vet volunteers who have unsupervised access to children in school grounds and during school hours. Paid supervisors are already subject to compulsory vetting. Pictured: Kids at Alicetown Playcentre.
MINISTRY RESPONDS
The Petone Herald contacted the Ministry of Education about the playcentre?s concerns. Senior media advisor Iain Butler provided an explanatory note outlining the Education Amendment Bill, which contains the police vetting requirement. The changes will require police vetting of only those non-teaching staff, contractors and volunteers who have, or are likely to have, unsupervised access to children during opening hours. The police check must be obtained before the person concerned has unsupervised access to?children. Mr Butler suggested these changes wouldn?t necessarily apply to playcentre volunteers. In response co-president of the Wellington Playcentre Association Kate Whitwell said the information she gathered still left room for concern about playcentre?s volunteers. ?We have parents there in a group supervisory role, but are they supposed to be supervising each other? ?What is the definition of unsupervised??
