Collaborative relationships in practice: Possibilities and challenges

Abstract

The following three papers examine what collaboration is happening in New Zealand’s early childhood education services currently, and provide exemplars of collaboration in three key areas: with parents and whänau; with Mäori, iwi and marae; and with local Pacific and other ethnic communities. We emphasise some differences in needs and priorities for different service types, and challenges for each. Finally, we discuss the extent to which government and umbrella group systems and policies support early childhood education services to create collaborative relationships. These papers draw from the findings of four recent research projects: An Evaluation of the Initial Uses and Impact of Equity Funding; Quality in Parent/Whänau-led Services; phase 1 of a Locality-based Evaluation of Pathways to the Future – Ngä Huarahi Arataki; and NZCER’s national survey of early childhood education services carried out in late 2003 and early 2004.