New Zealand Daycare
Legislative Changes in New Zealand's laws about contact between teachers and students.
Changes in the laws governing childcare workers in New Zealand move toward trust and inclusion.
New Zealand Law changed in 1998 when Peter Ellis was arrested and charged with sexual abuse of the children in his care. These changes made it illegal for any childcare worker to touch a child. No hugs, no kisses, no cuddles if someone has hurt their knee.
Instead, if a child initiates contact, the teacher was to pull away and explain to the child why they cannot touch them. This code was designed to protect teachers as well as children. Unions feared that even innocent touching could leave teachers and caregivers vulnerable to lawsuits and criminal allegations. There are those that feel that Peter Ellis was falsely accused and have mounted a support to exonerate him. His website features information on his case, as well as that of other areas in which website officials feel that New Zealand has fallen victim to communal panic.
This legislature has been seen to greatly inhibit teacher's ability to form lasting bonds with children, and may also hamper their psychological and social development due to the lack of personal contact. This law has also decreased the number of male teachers who are entering the profession. Many men are deterred from going to school to be teachers simply to avoid working conditions that would be tense, as well as fear of being looked at as a pervert for wanting to be in the company of young children.
However, it has recently been announced that these laws are changing so that teachers now have greater discretion in how they handle the choice of touching a child. Teachers are still encouraged to have any contact with children observed by another staff member, and to always do so in open and well-lit areas.
For a more personal take on this topic, please visit my most recent blog entry, Changes in New Zealand.
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