Adelaide company takes early childhood programs to China
ADELAIDE’S Hessel Group is taking its early childhood education training programs to China and has opened an office near Shanghai.
ADELAIDE’S Hessel Group is taking its early childhood education training programs to China and has opened an office near Shanghai.
Hessel Group managing director Tanya Cole said the programs would be delivered through its Hessel International division, in partnership with Chinese company Manhao Investments.
She said the demand in China for good quality early childhood training programs was high.
“A lot of the teachers have not done early childhood courses and instead have degrees in engineering or accounting,” she said.
“They don’t know how to relate to the children so they don’t have a lot of practical experience.
“The children then don’t warm to them and that makes it not a really comfortable environment to be in.”
Ms Cole, who had been visiting China regularly for more than two years, said Hessel’s courses — for those teaching or looking after children aged up to six years — focused on issues such as emotional intelligence, self-awareness and social skills.
She said China’s previous one child policy also meant many children were not used to dealing with a sibling and were ill equipped to understand things such as how to share with other kids.
“There’s some great opportunities in China and I think the service industry is an area I can see a lot of growth — in aged care and childcare,” added Ms Cole.
Meanwhile, a delegation from China last week visited Hessel Group’s Adelaide offices.
Members of the Songjiang District Women’s Federation of Shanghai met with Ms Cole and others to talk about myriad issues relating to women, childcare, family and community.
Federation chairwoman Ma Hongying said the programs devised by Hessel were very exciting.
“Education can change everything and it can change a woman’s life and promote happiness and a better future,” she said.
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