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Welcome to the Office of Early Childhood Education
National and public adviser on ECE, the OECE is a sector body representing teachers and all types of licensed services driving safer, higher‑quality education for every child
View our positions
- Provides membership support to ECE services, teachers, researchers, and community partners
- Actively contributes to sector analysis, research, and policy development
- Advances evidence-based best practices that prioritise children’s interests and wellbeing
View the Code of Conduct for ECE Services
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Teacher Member Posts
Sleep – How Much and Meeting Parents’ Wishes
Sleeping During the Day at ECE.
Nap, sleep and rest times have led to tensions and stand-offs between teachers, parents and children in some centres and home-based services.
Perhaps instead of asking who should decide whether a child has a sleep or nap, when, and for how long, we should work toward solutions that please and best suit everyon
SUDI – Death of an Infant when Sleeping
Sleep in ECE and Reducing the Risk of (SUDI): Learnings and What’s Legally Required versus Best Practice.
For years, the OECE’s chief advisor Dr Sarah Alexander has feared that a child would die from sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) in an early childhood education (ECE) setting. Now that has happened: An infant died from SUDI while
Making Books and Reading Fun
Books and Reading Fun. By Barb Morris.
We learn best when we are playing and having fun especially if we are rewarded with smiles, positive comments and cuddles. Children are no exception! So how do they learn? When it comes to reading it is mainly by copying and you, as educators are the most powerful role models that children copy.
Woodwork Tables, Tools, Gender Issues, and Rules
Woodworking in ECE is easier than you might think, and this guide shows you exactly what tools to get, how to set up the space and how to support children safely and confidently. Discover the huge developmental benefits of woodwork – from problem‑solving to coordination – and why even teachers with no carpentry experience can enjoy learning alongside the children.
Service Provider Member Posts
Safety Checking of Staff and Others under the Children’s Act
Safety checking is required of every person who has or may have access to children as part of their work, such as cleaners and cooks at early childhood services, must be safety checked in accordance with the Children’s Act 2014 before being allowed to start work. The fine to the early childhood service of failing to do this is up to $10,000 upon c
When a Child’s Behaviour Gets Hard to Manage and When Enrolment May be Terminated
Top tips on what to do, what to change, and support when a child’s behaviour has become unmanageable. The circumstances in which you may cancel a child’s enrolment.
No-Cost Advertising and Service Promotion
Marketing and Promotion.
Competition from other service providers in your area should not result in your service closing its doors. If you provide a quality service, do your home-work and develop a plan to keep children and attract new families.
The standard marketing and advertising advice is:
1. Develop a plan.
2. Consider c
Creating Financial Reserves
ECE Service Financial Reserves.
The Ministry of Education does not mind if a service builds up financial reserves. It will not affect funding. Non-profit services can however face a dilemma – should they be spend the money earnt or build up wealth? But note that community-based services are in a less strong position compared with compa
Research Library – Today’s Featured Articles
Constructions of Quality in NZ Early Childhood Centres
This ground‑breaking New Zealand study examines how different early childhood settings construct “quality” from a values‑based perspective. By comparing the unique meanings held across kindergartens, childcare centres, playcentres and kōhanga reo, it reveals how diverse philosophies shape what quality truly looks like.
Factors Influencing the Use of Digital Technology in Early Childhood Education
Research on the factors influencing the use of digital technology in early childcare education settings. Read the full paper below. Or to order a pdf copy of the article go to the main NZIRECE Journal page.
Index for the NZ Research in ECE Journal, 2009, Vol 12
The titles, authors and abstracts for papers published in the NZ Research in Early Childhood Education Journal, Volume 12, 2009 are shown below.
To view any paper, scroll to the end of this page for copies.
Reviewing the Reviewers: Commentary on the Education Review Office’s Evaluation of Assessment
Ken E. BlaiklockUnitec
Index for the NZ Research in ECE Journal, 2000, Vol 3
The titles, authors and abstracts for papers published in the NZ Research in Early Childhood Education Journal, Volume 3, 2000 are shown below.
To view any paper, scroll to the end of this page for copies.
The Early Years: Conceptual Issues and Future Challenges
Joy CullenMassey UniversityNZRECE Journal, Vol. 3, 2000, pp.&nbs
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