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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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Membership Services and Support for:
Teacher Member Posts
Having a Lamb to Support Children’s Learning and Wellbeing at Your ECE Centre
Guidance and what you need to know about having a lamb at your early childhood service - including advice on fostering agreements, day-to-care care, benefits…
Mums Expressing Breastmilk and Managing Other People’s Reactions
Mums Expressing Breastmilk in ECE. By Dr Sarah Alexander. Early childhood services can be places that support breastfeeding, and the attitude of staff and teachers…
Giving Children Choices – Strategies for the Best Outcomes
Giving young children choices and empowering them to make their own decisions will help prepare them for life. The early years are the best time…
ICT Digital Technology Use in ECE and Questions
ICT in Early Childhood Education: Questions, Issues and Planning Considerations. Technology is part of every child's life and at some point, children are almost certain…
Service Provider Member Posts
Adult Toilet and Staff Bathroom
There are many good reasons for having a toilet specifically for adults that is suitable for adults to use. Sometimes staff need to use the…
Sick Leave: ECE Employer Guide to Legal Duties, Proof, and Best Practices
ECE employers - managing sick leave is becoming increasingly complex, and getting it wrong can put pressure on ratios, disrupt staffing, and create legal and…
A Tree Fell at a Centre and WorkSafe and MoE Heard It
A tree fell on children in an early childhood centre and for the first time ever Worksafe prosecuted an ECE service. Four children and one…
Owner Worried about Putting Service at Risk By Employing Men
"I have nothing against employing men - but why put my centre at risk? Parents don’t want a male tending to their child’s personal needs. This…
Research Library – Today’s Featured Articles
Index for the NZ Research in ECE Journal, 2001, Vol 4
The titles, authors and abstracts for papers published in the NZ Research in Early Childhood Education Journal, Volume 7, 2004 are shown below. To view…
Can Risky Play Be Safe? Educator Perspectives on Supporting Outdoor Risky Play in ECE
Outdoor risky play (ORP) provides important opportunities for young children to test their limits and support physical, cognitive and socio-emotional development. Log-in to read the…
Critical Issues in Early Childhood Education
This book presents diverse viewpoints on critical issues in ECE, so that readers can discuss the positions and issues being interrogated and make their own…
Index for the NZ Research in ECE Journal, 2002, Vol 5
The titles, authors and abstracts for papers published in the NZ Research in Early Childhood Education Journal, Volume 5, 2002 are shown below. To view…
What We Do
The Office of ECE drives high-quality care, learning and teaching for all infants and young children and high-quality working environments for teachers and service providers.
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