Groundbreaking childcare programme answers need for parenting support

A groundbreaking programme for New Zealand parents with new babies is being launched throughout the country to help address a nationwide need for better access to parenting support.

The BabyCARES programme, developed by the country’s leading in-home childcare and training support provider PORSE, comes in response to a lack of access to practical-based advice and parenting support information on caring for infants from birth.

PORSE Managing Director Jenny Yule said the programme will finally fill a crucial void in the lives of New Zealand parents and caregivers.

“At present New Zealand does not offer any nationwide professional programmes offering guidance for caregivers in the critical early stages of children’s brain development,” Ms Yule said.

A Families Commission report out this week “Healthy Families, Young Minds and Developing Brains” found that the environment in which children are raised has a significant impact in developing their brains to acquire social and moral skills.

Ms Yule said the study was further proof of the importance of educating parents and caregivers about early brain development and attachment theories.

“The professional development programme explains practically the importance of respectful interactions and relationships and weaves the PORSE values, Te Whaariki principles and early childhood theories, adapting them to the New Zealand sociocultural environment,” she said.

“The Families Commission report confirms that early interactions have a decisive impact on the nature and extent of adult capacities. It is therefore essential for us to create well-informed and nurturing adults who in turn can support the child’s emotional and developmental needs.”

In releasing the report, Chief Families Commissioner Jan Pryor said it showed how important it was for governments and society to value parenting and create environments that supported strong resilient loving families in which to raise children.

The series of six week BabyCARES workshops will start next month and are being rolled out throughout the country.