Exploring early childhood supervisors' perceptions of the skills and types of training required to perform their role: a New Zealand childcare perspective

Abstract

Childcare supervisors directly affect the quality of a childcare centre. This study explores the biographical details of New Zealand childcare supervisors along with the skills needed to perform their role, and the types of training required to obtain these skills. A New Zealand-wide postal survey was sent to a sample of 200 randomly selected childcare supervisors from licensed childcare centres. The response rate to the postal survey was 73%. Descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis were performed on the collected data. The profile that emerged from this study showed the diverse and shared characteristics of New Zealand childcare supervisors. A multifaceted and complex supervisor skill profile also emerged which indicated the sets of skills considered most important for the New Zealand childcare supervisor role. The majority of respondents considered on-the-job training to be the most appropriate type of training for childcare supervisor skills with the need for further specialised childcare supervisor training also being identified by respondents. Based on the findings from this research as well as overseas research a number of policy changes and provisions are suggested to increase the quality and profile of childcare supervisors, their centres, and the wider early childhood education sector in New Zealand.