Officials tell nappy-changers to sing to babies on the job

Early childhood teachers need to get back to basics and give babies full one on one attention, communication and respect when changing nappies according to industry leader Jenny Yule.

Ms Yule, who is the founding director of New Zealand’s largest provider of in-home childcare PORSE, said today the instruction from the Education Review Office (ERO) for teachers to sing and make the nappy-changing a more positive learning experience for babies and toddlers is ‘spot on’.   

“Nappy change time offers everything a baby needs - an adult’s attention all to themselves,” she said.

Ms Yule disagrees with the response from the CEO of the Early Childhood Council, Dr Sarah Farquhar who stated that ‘maybe ERO’s just taking it a little bit too far.  They are being a bit pin-pricking”. 

She believes this comment from the head of NZ’s largest childcare industry is misleading and counter-productive to infant mental health and development.

 “New Zealand is establishing a voice for New Zealand babies with our affiliation to the World Infant Mental Health Association and it’s time for babies to have their needs respected and put into practice by adults who care for them”.

Ms Yule said she was angry with Sarah Farquhar’s “inappropriate comments” in the Sunday Star Times, reported yesterday and the suggestion that there was little time for singing during a nappy-change in early childhood centres.

“If that is the case then we need to make an urgent change to routines in childcare centres because having a one on one interaction and spending time with an adult is the key to early learning and development for babies, she said.

PORSE is NZ’s leading provider of In-Home Childcare and Educator Training teaching BabyCARES and the back to basics art of how to nurture relationships, and give full attention to a baby during their day to day care routines.

Ms Yule says that babies as young as 3 months old nurtured with love and respect, easily understand and learn how to lift their bottoms, lie still and interact happily assisting their carer to change their nappy.

 “We need to focus on giving babies and toddlers full attention to grow and learn and NZ can change the world nappy by nappy by encouraging adults to make every care moment a loving and meaningful experience – this is what life is all about.”

 “With the current childcare debate about what’s best for babies it is vital that we do not overlook just how the nappy is being changed by adults and the importance of a healthy emotional relationship for babies and toddlers as a determinant for lifetime success” Ms Yule said.