New early childhood community worker

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 393, 2 July 1991, Page 5

New early childhood community worker

The newly appointed Waimarino Early Childhood Community Worker is Gail Imhoff of Raetihi. She is employed by the Taihape Ruapehu Rural Education Activities Programme. Gail was born in Raetihi, spending her early school years there and returning home to live 10 years ago. She has been actively involved in voluntary community work over the last few years while caring for her two chil-

dren. Last year she completed her Community Worker's Certificate through the Wanganui Regional Community Polytechnic. Gail will be based at the Raetihi School and will cover the Waimarino area. Her main objectives as the early childhood community worker will be to encourage parents to find some form of preschool education for their children. This could be home base, in playgroups or at an established preschool facility such as Te Kohanga Reo, Playcentre, Preschool or Kindergarten. She will also help to foster parenting skills, to empower parents to become selfaware and self-confident and to support the development of parent networks. "Preschool is very important for children for several reasons. Children in groups learn many skills through play and varied experiences," said Gail. Rural children often miss out and she will help parents to set up playgroups or to work at home if that is what they prefer. Gail can be contacted through the Raetihi Primary School 54-402 or at home 54-476.