A childcare worker in New Zealand has narrowly avoided having her registration cancelled, but issued a formal censure, after drinking while on the job. The unnamed teacher was charged with serious misconduct and brought before the Complaints Assessment Committee after she drank vodka from a Gatorade bottle while working at an early childhood centre in January 2022.
She tried to call her mother but was unable to reach her. She said she hoped the alcohol would calm her and prevent another anxiety attack, and did not believe she was intoxicated during her teaching hours but acknowledged she was during the staff meeting. The woman apologised to management for her behaviour and “accepted that she should have shared how she was feeling with the centre owner and her colleagues how she had been feeling, and that she should have sought support”.