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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
Transforming an Old Woodwork Table
I am James Lochead-MacMillan and I’m going to share with you our review and evaluation of the woodwork table and children’s use, and what we did to bring about improvement
Review and evaluation of woodwork
The hammers had seen better days, the saws were rusty, the screwdrivers were AWOL, the vices and the drills were all broken. The work benc
Over-Stimulating Environments Unsuitable for Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Dear Fellow Teachers,
I’ve recently been approached by the mother of a child with ASD and Sensory Integration Disorder.
He is 3 and a half and finds a standard ECE environment too overwhelming – noise in particular but also visual stimulation and movement affect him adversely.
We had a long discussion about the unspoken belief that all children thrive in a visual stimulating and noisy environment.
The mother has investigated
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,
Co-construction, Problem-Solving, Scaffolding and Hypothesising
The early childhood years are a busy, exciting time. New discoveries, skills and competencies are a regular part of life for a young child. Early childhood teachers have the opportunity to optimise these amazing and important years. In this article, I will discuss teaching strategies, such as co-construction, that can turn children’s possibilities into realities.
The practices that will be discussed involve expanding thinking, problem-solving and developing hypotheses. These teaching strategies can build on children’s learning dispositions and their strengths and interests to put the ‘wow factor’ into learning.
The ‘wow factor’
It is probably safe to say that most of us who choose to become teachers do so because we enjoy knowing that our work can make a meaningful contribution to children’s lives.
Most teachers I talk to are passionate about teaching and seeing young children learn.
Service Provider Member Posts
Sun Protection Measures and Responsibilities
Management of Sun Protection.
Responsibilities to Staff and Staff Responsibilities to Themselves.
Staff must practise recommended sun protection behaviours for their health and wellbeing too. Tell staff that they are never too old, and it’s never too late, to begin to protect themselves from the harmful effects of the sun.
Requirem
Business Structures and Board Legal Requirements
ECE Business Structures.
Early childhood education and care services differ in organisational type.
Here is an outline of different business types, the defining features, and broad legal requirements for each.
Owner-Operated or Sole Trader
Any person can own an early childhood service business. They collect all profits
Shade and Outdoor Planning for Sun Protection
Below are tips and recommendations for creating and maintaining effective and acceptable shade in outdoor play areas. This is important in conjunction with other methods for protecting children’s skin and eyes from the harmful effects of the sun over summer.
Attention is drawn here to different problems such as tree branches breaking and falli
Adult Toilet and Staff Bathroom
OECE staff writer
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 toilet within a confined space of time, for example, while on a ten minute break or a parent needs to rush in and use the toilet when dropping off or picking-up their child.
There may be lots of toilets but most may be more suitable for children’s use – smaller, lower to the ground and often in stalls of small size, for safety purposes. Small toilets in small spaces cannot accommodate the much larger size of adults.
Research Library – Today’s Featured Articles
Influences on SENCo Practice in Early Care and Education Settings in England
Research on the challenges for special education needs coordinators and implementation of child health care and learning plans in ECE settings. Read the full paper below. Or to order a pdf copy of the article go to the main NZIRECE Journal page.
Prioritising the Development of Spirituality in Early Childhood Education and Care
Nicole Megan Lees.
Full reference: Lees, N. M. (2019). Prioritising the development of spirituality in early childhood education and care. NZ International Research in Early Childhood Education Journal. Special issue presenting position papers, 22(2), pp. 35 -42.
Page 35
Original Position Paper
Abstract
Increasingly the
Preparing Students for the ‘Emotion Work’ of Early Years Practice
Looking at the inter-personal and emotional demands placed on ECE practitioners. How well equipped are student teachers for their future role? Read the full paper below. Or to order a pdf copy of the article go to the main NZIRECE Journal page.
Play and the Professional Early Childhood Teacher: A Personal Reflection
Play and the Professional Early Childhood Teacher: A Personal Reflection.
Sue Stover. AUT University, New Zealand.
Full Reference: Stover, S. (2014). Play and the professional early childhood teacher: A personal reflection. NZ Research in Early Childhood Education Journal. Special Issue: Early Childhood Policy, 17, 89-100.
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