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Welcome to the Office of Early Childhood Education
The OECE is a national organisation for the ECE sector and public adviser, championing high-quality education and care for every child
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- 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
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Teacher Member Posts
Laughter, Jokes and Having Fun
Fun and laughter in ECE – in our relationships with children and each other.
Creating a positive, playful, and happy climate to be in is key to effective teaching for diverse children.
Some of the things that make us laugh and giggle are:
Tickles and playful games like peek-a-boo, this little piggy went to market finger-play game,
Speaking Up in ECE: How to Raise Issues in Your Workplace or Community, Influence Change, and Advocate
If something in your workplace or in the wider ECE sector isn’t sitting right with you, you’re not alone – and you’re not powerless.
We speak up to protect children, strengthen the profession, and create healthier, safer workplaces.
But raising concerns can feel overwhelming, scary, and hard.
Think of one thing you’d really like to change. This article helps you work out the best way to communicate it – whether that’s addressing an issue with your employer, raising a sector‑wide concern, or advocating for children’s rights.
Log in with your member details to read the full guidance. If your membership has lapsed or you’d like to join, get in touch with us or go to the Join page on our website.
You’ll learn about common stumbling blocks, ways to build your confidence, and take the next step without feeling out of your depth.
Autism
Children with Autism ASD in Early Childhood Education.
How often have you seen a child acting inappropriately in social situations, appearing to ignore what others say, or over-reacting to loud noises?
Children with such behaviours are often thought to be naughty or treated as a ‘problem’. Some early childhood services have policies tha
What’s all the Fuss About Playdough?
Playing with playdough is an everyday occurrence at many ECE services, but the humble activity is subject to frequent debate with suggestions that playdough and other food based play ideas are culturally insensitive.
The debate is not new – it is revived every few years and has been around for at least the past 30 years.
One debate was
Service Provider Member Posts
Trauma Policy: Procedures for Responding to Critical Incidents and Trauma in ECE Services
Every early childhood service needs a clear Trauma Policy to protect children, families, and staff when the unexpected occurs.
Traumatic incidents can happen and having a well‑designed plan ensures your team responds safely, confidently, and in line with legal requirements.
Our comprehensive policy template and procedures give services the structure they need to act quickly, support wellbeing, and maintain a calm, coordinated response.
Differences between ‘Management’ and ‘Governance’
Management and Governance.
Governance and management are strengthened when these terms and roles are clarified and understood.
In early childhood services they often go together and it can be confusing to anyone without training in governance and management.
But knowing and understanding the difference is important – especially as Regu
Indoor-Outdoor Spaces and Room Layout
Early Childhood Centre Design Ideas.
We show, with photographs, a different design and approach to using space for supporting small group and project work. The design comes from a bilingual kindergarten, called a ‘Kita’ in Hamburg, Germany.
The photographs were taken, by Sarah Alexander, during a guided tour of the facility for
Trusted Woman ECE Centre Teacher Engaged in Sexual Exploitation of Children
Indecent pictures of children, including bathroom pics, were taken by teacher “K” at her early childhood centre, using her mobile phone and shared online.
Research Library – Today’s Featured Articles
Raising Healthy Kids: A Scoping Review for Feeding Practices in NZ Early Childhood Education Centres
Research on how teachers and staff support the eating behaviours of children and feeding practices applicable to food policy and guidelines. Read the full paper below. Or to order a pdf copy of the article go to the main NZIRECE Journal page.
Building Capacity to Apply a Strengths Approach to Working with Vulnerable Families and Children
Research on ways early childhood educators can use a strengths based approach when working with vulnerable children and families and the ‘mind-shift’ and resources important. Read the full paper below. Or to order a pdf copy of the article go to the main NZIRECE Journal page.
Ideas for Play: Literacy by Emma Smoldon and Megan Howell
Literacy ideas is a NZ book written for families at home, parent educators in playcentres, and early childhood teachers.
Te Whāriki: Curriculum or Philosophy
Early childhood teachers continue to struggle to implement content within Te Whāriki. This article draws on literature and data to investigate whether the lack of specific content within Te Whāriki means it should be considered a philosophy rather than a curriculum. Read the full paper below. Or to order a pdf copy of the article go to the main NZIRECE Journal page.
What We Do
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