As two of Barnardos’ first Home Based Educators in Whānganui, Maree and Margaret have educated generations of tamariki for more than 50 years.

Maree and Margaret are among Barnardos’ longest-standing Home Based Educators in Aotearoa. Today, these passionate ladies are still building strong foundations for the tamariki of Whānganui.

When it all began

In 1994, stay-at-home mum Margaret was simply enjoying her day looking after her tamariki when she saw an advertisement in the local paper mentioning that Barnardos was looking for Home Based Educators in the region.

“I remember that day very well. When I saw the advert in the paper, I remember reading it and thinking: 'Wow, that sounds like something that I can do as well as bringing up my own tamariki!’” says Margaret.

For Maree, it was a few years later, in the early 2000s, that she discovered the world of early learning from the comfort of her own home. Prior to that, she had held office jobs.

“As I started having my own children, I thought to myself that I just couldn’t go back to an office job. So I decided to join Barnardos and work as a home based educator. It also meant that I was able to care for my own children at the same time,” says Maree.

The close-knit bond of being in home based education

The two ladies both agreed that becoming home based educators was the best decision they had ever made as it blended in perfectly with their lifestyles.

“Working as a home based educator is really special to me. I find that you become a family unit because you can only take care of four tamariki at a time so you have more time to build close relationships with the tamariki and their whānau,” says Margaret.

Barnardos Home Based Network offers a smaller learning environment for a much more intimate learning experience. Only up to four tamariki under six can be placed in a Barnardos Home Based Network, with a limit of up to two under twos.

People who sign up to become home based educators are guided throughout the process to ensure they become the best educators they can for tamariki. There are qualified Visiting Teachers who do monthly drop-ins to see how the educators are doing and provide additional support if they need.

"When I first started as an educator, I was excited to discover that play was the best way for tamariki to learn. When the Visiting Teacher dropped in to see me, we were playing tea parties. She pointed out the learning opportunities of everything tamariki were doing, from learning how to avoid overflowing their cups, using their imaginations to pretend and taking turns. It was a lightbulb moment for me," says Margaret

Home based learning

“No day is the same as a home based educator, which makes things a lot more fun for myself and the tamariki. You get the opportunity to teach them about their community by going out on local adventures regularly, which they love and I love too,” adds Maree.

Barnardos’ Home Based Network is licensed and accountable to the same regulations as any early childhood centre. However, having such low ratios offers many different learning opportunities for the tamariki. Educators enjoy the chance to be out in the community and offer tamariki experiences away from the home environment. Children's interests are followed and extended upon such as a child's love of diggers and machinery, letting them lead a walk around the neighbourhood to watch machinery in action and giving them the chance to speak to the operators working.

“Everything our tamariki are doing is a form of learning. There’s no rush in the way they learn,” explains Maree.

Why stay with Barnardos for so long?

“The stability and longevity of knowing that Barnardos has been taking care of tamariki for so long reinforced why I have been with the organisation for 22 years. They enforce good practices and standards so well that I couldn’t imagine not being a part of the team,” says Maree.

“I have been with Barnardos Home Based early learning since it became a part of early childhood education. I remember being a part of the conversations around the expansion of Barnardos Home Based Services across Aotearoa and now here I am still providing education to tamariki and probably will be for the next 20-plus years,” says Margaret.

Barnardos Early Learning

Barnardos offers both Home Based and Centre Based early learning services. There are 21 centres and 280 Home Based Educators across Aotearoa working with Barnardos. Home based networks give whānau the choice and flexibility their family needs in today’s busy world. Anyone can apply to become a Barnardos Home Based Educator, there are no specific qualifications required at first. After a selection process, Barnardos will support new educators to achieve their NZQA Level 4 Early Childhood qualification. A Visiting Teacher will guide and answer any questions the educators have to ensure they have a smooth transition into home based education and will visit them monthly.

For more information, visit bel.org.nz.

Taking care of tamariki in Whānganui since 1994

Taking care of tamariki in Whānganui since 1994