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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
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
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Teacher Member Posts
Pikler and Gerber Theories in Practice
A close look at how well the theories of Pikler and Gerber can be merged with Te Whariki and the models of infant care and education in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Concepts such as ‘self-soothing’ (allowing babies to settle by themselves) and leaving babies to develop in their own time rather than pushing them to meet milestones cause much debate among parents and early childhood educators.
These debates include such things as whether babies should be allowed to cry it out and whether parents or educators should help children to achieve milestones such as sitting by propping them up.
One proponent of allowing a child to develop at their own pace is Emmi Pikler, a Hungarian paediatrician who worked with children aged from birth to six in her role as Director of the Loczy Orphanage from 1946 until her death in 1979.
Pikler believed that infants’ emotional well-being was paramount, and she restructured then entire staff to ensure that all those working at the orphanage not only met the children’s physical needs, but also would ‘love’ these unwanted children and attend to them with consistent and thoughtful care.
The Concept of Tuakana-Teina dictated by Whakapapa
Tuakana – Teina Relationships. By Ngaroma Williams.
Within Aotearoa, New Zealand early childhood education pedagogy, the relationships of tuakana, teina are misunderstood, misinterpreted and/or misused. Ngaroma Williams explains how and calls for a Maori worldview to be expressed and better understood.
To understand Māori social str
What is Research? Methodological Practices and New Approaches
What is Research? Methodological Practices and New Approaches by Jeanette Rhedding-Jones.
What is Research? Articulating a clear-cut answer to this question that everyone will agree on is just not possible.
As Jeanette Rhedding-Jones shows in her splendidly plain-spoken book by addressing this question one becomes aware that there is so muc
Can Women Understand How Boys Tick?
Should Boys Have a Male Teacher?
I don’t believe we as women understand how boys really tick. If boys had a male teacher would this help their achievement and reduce problem behaviours?Female kindergarten head teacher.
Dr Alexander replies
Female teachers can support boys as well as male teachers at early childhood level.
Service Provider Member Posts
Toddler Left in Car Seat Died
Unexplained absence.
A 16-month-old was found dead after his mum went to work, accidentally leaving him sleeping in his car seat in her car parked at work. She had not realised he was still in the car and had forgotten to drop him at the early childhood centre. Tragically the toddler died from heatstroke. There can be other situations t
Illness and Infectious Diseases Policy and Procedures
How to write a strong illness and infectious diseases policy for your centre or home-based service that reflects regulatory requirements and best practice.
Early childhood centres and home‑based services play a vital role in safeguarding children’s health. It is therefore important to have a strong, well‑informed policy for managing illness and preventing the spread of infectious diseases.
Here we provide a practical template and guidance to help you develop clear procedures to prevent children’s exposure to infectious illnesses and diseases and reduce the risk of infection spreading.
A solid understanding of the Infectious Diseases Chart which outlines all illnesses listed in Schedule 1 of the licensing criteria, including how they spread, their symptoms, incubation periods, and recommended exclusion times supports confident and informed decision‑making.
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
Child Complaint and Parent Feedback Forms
Complaint and Parent Feedback Form. Child Feedback Form / Questionnaire.
Children’s Voice.
For a form to document children’s views on the quality of your service and understand better how to meet their individual needs and expectations click on the button below
Child feedback form
Parent and Caregiver Voice.
Does your serv
Research Library – Today’s Featured Articles
Contributing to Educational Change as a Teacher-Researcher
Contributing to Educational Change as a Teacher-Researcher. By Loraine Corrie. Published in the NZRECE Journal, Vol. 2, 1999.
Abstract
Recent world wide educational reform has resulted in teachers adapting to different roles and responsibilities. This paper examines a case in Western Australia, and argues that it would be hel
Publication Ethics of the NZIRECE Journal
Publication ethics statement. Originality, accuracy and avoidance of harm The journal publishes only work that is original. Authors are asked to declare that their submitted
Female Social Justice Leaders in the Early Childhood Profession
Female social justice leaders in the early childhood profession and the leadership of Sonja Davies. Read the full paper below. Or to order a pdf copy of the article go to the main NZIRECE Journal page.
Exploring Educator and Parent Perceptions of the Impact of Digital Technologies on Young Children’s Physical Literacies
Full reference: Davis, T. (2025). Exploring educator and parent perceptions of the impact of digital technologies on young children’s physical literacies. NZ International Research in Early Childhood Education Journal, 27, pp. 31-42.
Login to read the full research paper below. Or order a pdf copy of the article from the main NZIRECE Journal page.
ABSTRACT:
Digital technologies are increasingly present in early childhood settings, raising questions about their effects on young children’s physical literacy development. Physical literacy – encompassing physical competence, confidence, motivation, and understanding to engage in physical activity – is crucially developed in the early years. This article reports on a doctoral research project exploring how educators and parents perceive the impact of digital technology use on the physical literacies of children from birth to five years. A literature review highlights international and Australasian perspectives on digital technology integration in early childhood education and the concept of physical literacy in the early years, revealing a gap in research on stakeholder perceptions at this intersection. Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory provide the theoretical framework, situating children’s technology experiences within layered environmental contexts and sociocultural interactions. A qualitative, interpretive case study with a phenomenological lens is proposed, using semi-structured interviews with educators and parents in an Australian kindergarten and a long day care centre. The article argues that understanding adult perceptions can support more intentional, balanced integration of digital technologies.
Key words: Digital technologies; physical literacy; teacher perceptions; parent perceptions.
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