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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
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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
Death of a Pet
The death of a pet, especially a first pet, can be more traumatic for a child than it is for an adult. Often the child…
Lunch, Rest, and Breastfeeding Breaks – What You Must Receive and What to Do When You Don’t
Early childhood employees have legal rights to rest, meal, and breastfeeding breaks. Working with young children is rewarding -but it’s also busy, demanding, and nonstop.…
Seven Tips to Ease Back into Work After the Holidays
Going Back to Work. Here are 7 of the best tips for easing back to work after a holiday or other break away - smoothing…
Supporting and Involving Fathers
Early childhood education services in general do not do well when it comes to being inclusive of dads and supporting and involving fathers. Services could…
Service Provider Member Posts
CCTV and Security Camera Policy
The Office of ECE provides this CCTV policy template and guidance to help services using indoor or outdoor security cameras meet their legal obligations under…
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…
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…
Job Description for an Area Manager
Below is a template you can use and adapt for a job description for an area manager position (for centres and/or for home-based licensed services).…
Research Library – Today’s Featured Articles
Public-Professional Barriers to Breastfeeding
Drawing on lived experience within the ECE sector, this reflection reveals how public‑professional attitudes can undermine breastfeeding despite clear developmental and equity benefits. It’s a…
Primary School Entry Assessment in New Zealand
Research on the literacy and numeracy skills of New Zealand children when they start school. Log-in to read the full research paper below. Or order…
Editorial: Child health and wellbeing are inextricably linked with early education – research from across the sector
FULL REFERENCE: Young, L. and Gerritsen, S. (2021). Editorial. Child health and wellbeing are inextricably linked with early education: research from across the sector. NZ…
Removing Socio-Economic Barriers to Participation in Early Childhood Education
This paper reviews policy approaches to increase the participation of children from low socio-economic families in quality early childhood education. Problems are identified with current…
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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