Getting a head start using existing content

Looking to write something for a local publication?

The good news is, you don't have to start from scratch, and there's lots of content which exists already in whānau friendly form that you can use.

There's a real treasure trove of content on the Kidsfirst website, and two key sections that can provide inspiration, and already-prepared stories based around the core Kidsfirst marketing messages.

www.kidsfirst.org,nz/whanauconnect is where you'll find parent-friendly content on a variety of topics of interest to whānau with young tamariki, and that reflects Kidsfirst values and the perspective that makes kindergarten unique.

Content here focuses on a number of key themes that meet these criteria:

• Biculturalism

• Diversity

• Getting ready for kindergarten

• Transition to school

• Healthy relationships

• Learning through play

• Helping tamariki develop life skills

• Helping tamariki through tough times

• Children and nature

The Kidsfirst #betterbecause pages are a great place to go if you're looking to distil down the things that make kindergarten special into parent-friendly language.

Kidsfirst Maniototo were recently given the opportunity to write a piece for a local publication, and were able to tailor it to suit their specific area. When it comes to write your piece, here's a bit of a template you can follow to help get the structure right:

Generic piece

• Intro paragraph - a few lines that summarise the story and why the reader might care about it now (think about how this is relevant to your reader, for Maniototo, this was talking about getting tamariki out during colder months)

• Here's why this is important

• Here's how we do it at kindy

• 5 top tips for doing it at home, advice for whānau

Kindy specific key messages

This example is based on the things that Maniototo identified as setting their kindergarten apart from the competition and that the community cares about. These can often be woven into a footnote about the author/kindergarten.

For Maniototo:

• Staff stability

• Trained, registered teachers

• Been here a long time

• Not for profit, community funded

Example of how this could work:

"Deb McNally is Head Teacher at Kidsfirst Maniototo, a not-for-profit kindergarten that offers 20 hours free each week, even for two year olds. The kindergarten's three trained, registered teachers (Deb, Theresa Souness and Debbie Dowling have taught together at the kindergarten for over six years, providing a great deal of stability and continuity to the Maniototo community. We welcome visitors to come and check out our warm and modern learning environment any time. There are spaces available now, but filling fast."

Check out the Maniototo piece here.