In a first for Wanganui kohanga reo, 16 young women have graduated with a Level 3 Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care from private training establishment Training For You.
Their graduation took place at Wanganui's oldest kohanga, Te Heti Te Kohanga Reo in Hinau St, on Friday. The graduating kaiako and kaiawhina were from Te Heti, Mangawhero and Putiki Wharanui kohanga reo.
In addition to the 16 graduates, six others gained units toward the certificate, and may choose to complete it in future.
The training is an addition to their existing skills in Maori language and tikanga Maori, and training provided by the Aotea District kohanga reo movement's three-year Whakapakari course.
Te Heti administrator Lisa Reweti said the seven graduates from her kohanga wanted more training to get extra confidence in their work, and they got it. Many of them were younger, and valued learning about child development, communication and behaviour modification skills.