Cheryl Hadland Welcomes Dr Andrea Delaune to Tops Pokesdown!

We were thrilled to welcome Dr. Andrea Delaune, Vice President of OMEP New Zealand, to our Pokesdown Nursery. The visit was hosted by our founder and Managing Director, Cheryl Hadland. Dr. Delaune, a renowned advocate for children’s rights, sustainability, and early years education, visited the nursery to share her insights and explore the shared values between New Zealand’s and the UK’s approaches to early childhood education.

Dr. Delaune traveled by train from Christchurch, where Tops Day Nurseries also has a location, to experience firsthand the unique environment and educational practices at Tops Pokesdown. During her tour, Dr. Delaune said “I think one of the things I appreciated was the sense of warmth, welcome, and engagement that the children experienced in the space. The beautiful settings and the wonderful teams stood out to me. These are areas where I see a lot of similarities between our approaches. Along with the natural environments, which were beautiful to see, I can clearly see that you share the same drive for sustainability and sustainable practices, bringing nature into the early childhood space so that children will appreciate its value in their everyday lives”.

Cheryl Hadland and Dr. Delaune also engaged in discussions on several critical topics, including staff-to-child ratios, the importance of having qualified staff, and cultural competence in early years education. They explored the Treaty of Waitangi, which Dr. Delaune views as the cornerstone of her work in New Zealand, ensuring the preservation and promotion of the Māori identity as the indigenous people, or tangata whenua, of Aotearoa (New Zealand). This approach informs much of New Zealand’s early childhood curriculum. Which is underpinned by the Treaty and incorporates a bicultural framework that honors both English and Māori pedagogies.

Dr. Delaune emphasised the significance of the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child, particularly in ensuring that children maintain their identity and indigenous heritage. Her work also draws on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) to support the sovereign place of Tino Rangatiratanga (self-determination) for Maori communities.

Anti-Racism in Early Years with Dr Delaune

Central to their discussions was the issue of anti-racism in early childhood education. Dr. Delaune, who has co-authored work on anti-racist practices with Dr. Mahdis Azarmandi, shared her thoughts on how educators can actively combat racism and promote inclusivity from a young age. Their paper, Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, explores how practitioners can address and challenge racism in their daily work. It urges educators to create an environment where all children are respected and celebrated for their diversity.

Dr. Delaune and Cheryl Hadland also touched on the moral responsibilities of early childhood educators, exploring concepts such as the “moral imagination” and how practitioners can extend themselves to see others respectfully and compassionately. Dr. Delaune shared her inspiration from philosopher Iris Murdoch, particularly the idea that “Love is the way we see goodness in the world.” When you truly embrace love, it’s about setting aside your own selfishness and striving to see others with kindness and understanding, even when it’s difficult.

The visit culminated in a rich exchange of ideas and practices, further reinforcing Tops Day Nurseries’ commitment to providing high-quality, inclusive, and sustainable early years education. The shared values between Tops and New Zealand’s educational practices highlight the global importance of nurturing young minds in a way that respects cultural diversity, promotes sustainability, and fosters a love for learning.