Teacher/Carer Health, Safety and Well-being - Early Childhood Education New Zealand

Since at ANZUK we are interested in everything to do with our ECE teachers’ well being, we thought we would spread the word when we were contacted by an independent researcher. If you are an ECE teacher/volunteer, we would love you to share your experience.

About the survey

The questionnaire consists of 72 questions. Many of them require tick box answers, others require a more in-depth response. Depending on your role, many questions may not be applicable, but you should allow 30 minutes to complete it. If you stop part way through, your answers will not be saved, you will need to start again, so please give yourself plenty of time to complete it.You are invited to participate in a research project on the above topic. Before you decide, please take time to read the following information explaining why the research is being done and what it would involve for you.

This research explores the working conditions for teachers and other workers, and the effect on mental and physical health and safety. Ask questions if anything you read is not clear or you would like more information. Take time to decide whether or not to take part.

Email healthandsafety.teachersece@gmail.com

This Project has been reviewed by the New Zealand Ethics Committee www.nzethics.com which has agreed that it meets the appropriate ethical standards for social research.

About the researcher

Susan Bates is a registered early childhood teacher and independent researcher. She has previously engaged in research on teachers of children under two years old and children’s health in early childhood education in New Zealand. She has undertaken this current project in consultation with experts in both education and health.

What is the purpose of the study?

We are conducting this research to gauge the health and well-being of workers in the early childhood education sector.

Who can participate?

Any worker or volunteer currently employed in any position, in the early childhood sector is eligible to participate in this study. Your participation is entirely voluntary.

What if you don’t want to participate?

If you do not want to participate you can withdraw at any time up until you have submitted the survey. Because this is an anonymous survey, you will be unable to withdraw your responses once they have been submitted. Completion and submission of the survey implies you have given consent for me to use your responses.

What happens to the information you give?

All information you provide is completely anonymous. Data will be stored on a dedicated storage device, and hard copies will be kept in a locked cabinet.

With the help of research assistants, co-authors and/or academic advisors, we hope to publish the findings in both education and health journals. In accordance with most academic journals, we will store the results for 10 years. After that time, all data will be destroyed/deleted. Any assistants or collaborators analysing the data will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement.

Are there any risks involved?

Some questions in this survey are personal and while this is in no way intended, may cause distress. If you do not want to answer any questions for any reason, please skip them. There are contacts for support agencies at the end of the survey should you require them.

This is an anonymous survey, but if you use names or other identifiers in your responses, your anonymity may be compromised. Please be aware of this in your responses.

How do you find out the results of this research?

They will be releasing the results on Teachers Advocacy Group Facebook page in 2018 for sharing, dissemination and discussion with interested parties.