Hui Strengthens Early Childhood Education Community Centres 

Salvation Army Early Childhood Education (ECE) leaders came together in Auckland recently to further strengthen the service which reaches around 150 children every day. 

The one-day hui included the leaders of each of the four Salvation Army ECE centres, along with the related Directors/Corps Officers who oversee services locally and other senior leadership. 

The Salvation Army operates four Early Childhood Education centres which provide quality, Christian, Early childhood Care, Education and wrap around whānau care services in the community. The centres are located in Mt Wellington, Waitakere, Newtown and Upper Hutt. 

National Coordinator ECE, Helen Armstrong, says the annual hui is an important way to bring managers together to build connections and relationships, share learnings, and plan for the years ahead. 

‘Our ECE centres are spread out across the motu and so we often only connect via online meetings and distance communication,’ says Helen. ‘It’s a real gift to be able to come together in person and represents nicely the Territorial strategy He Waka Eke Noa (All Of Us Together) in action. 

‘One of the key aims of the hui was to strengthen collaboration and wraparound support.  

‘The relationships between ECE managers and the local Corps (church) are essential to connecting our tamariki and whānau with the wider Salvation Army community ministries support that is available. 

Territorial Director Community Ministries, Jono Bell, says a real highlight of the hui were the updates from the ECE centres which provided a chance to see developments and hear stories of transformation.  

‘Salvation Army ECE centres are making a tangible difference, changing the trajectory for so many tamariki which normally wouldn’t be given the opportunity for quality and caring education,’ says Jono.  

Helen says a key challenge faced by ECE centres is funding: ‘We serve a community of learners who often cannot contribute financially towards fees and so we are always looking for ways to support the further development of our services. 

‘Within our ECE centres we can totally transform a childs’ life through our involvement and impact. We not only care for and educate each child, but through the wider Salvation Army, we can support the entire whānau, which promotes positive, long-term change.’