Ms Clare Wells, QSO, of Waipu, for services to early childhood education
Ms Clare Wells, of Waipu, for services to early childhood education
Clare Wells is a board member of the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand and Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand. She has bolstered these organisations through her well-established early childhood networks as well as her involvement in cross-sector initiatives and advisory groups. She was the Chief Executive of New Zealand Kindergartens. She championed and campaigned for universal access to quality early childhood education services, the development of a qualified and progressive teaching workforce, and a partnership with government that supports the growth of community-based services. She chaired the Teachers Council (now the Education Council) Early Childhood Advisory group. Ms Wells is known for her collaborative leadership style, and she was instrumental in the development of the first early learning strategic plan.