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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
Teaching Literacy – An Early Childhood Educator’s Guide
Guide to Teaching Literacy. By Dr Sarah Alexander.
From their earliest speech experiences through to contact with written language and technologies, what happens in children’s homes and communities shapes their early literacy learning. How, and whether this early learning is taken up and extended through early childhood educational practic
Protecting Children’s Skin and Eyes from the Sun
Practical and best sun protection measures for babies, toddlers and young children in home-based and centres.
Always use sun protection measures during peak UVR times between September and April, especially between 10am and 4pm (or Terms 1 & 4 in early childhood services).
During the winter months and outside of these hours sunhats and ot
The Professional Development and Support Needs of Newly Qualified ECE Teachers
Too Much, Too Soon? The Multiple Roles and Identities of Newly Qualified Early Childhood by Helen Aitken. Read the full paper below. Or to order a pdf copy of the article go to the main NZIRECE Journal page.
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques to Help Children Keep Healthy
Teaching Mindfulness to Young Children. by Anna Whitehead.
Mindfulness can be described as the process of being aware.
Sensations, thoughts or feelings are simply experienced for what they are, without judgment.
Why would you be interested as a parent or teacher in mindfulness?
In the past we developed the idea that b
Service Provider Member Posts
Lockdown Policy and Procedures
ECE Service Lockdown Policy Template and Procedures.
The terror incident in Christchurch in March 2019 prompted many ECE services to review their lockdown procedures, leaving us questioning whether we are well-prepared for situations where we may need to go into lockdown.
Some services in Christchurch found themselves unprepared, part
When staff are using controlled drugs or impaired by alcohol, this is what you need to know and do
All early childhood service providers are required under the regulations (Health and Safety Practices criterion) to make sure that:
No person on the premises uses, or is under the influence of, alcohol or any other substance that has a detrimental effect on their functioning or behaviour during the service’s hours of operation.
If you wish
Job Description for a Head Teacher, Room Leader, or Home-based Visiting Teacher
Job Description for a Head Teacher, Room Leader, or Home-based Visiting Teacher.
Here is a template to help guide you in preparing a job description that matches your service’s philosophy and reflects the position. This person will have additional responsibilities compared with other qualified and unqualified staff and educators.
If you wou
Using the Internet to Benefit Your Service
Ways to use the Internet for parent and staff communication, and promoting your service.
With billions of pages and more being added every day, the internet can be a great source of inspiration and ideas for activities to do with children or for improving your service.
The internet can also be a great way to communicate with staff and within
Research Library – Today’s Featured Articles
Doctoral Thesis Directory
This is a Ph.D. and Ed.D. Education Doctoral Thesis Directory.
The Education Doctoral Thesis Directory shows theses completed in NZ, or through a NZ tertiary education institution, that are relevant to young children’s care, health, and education.
An education masters thesis directory is also available if you would like to search for
“It Made Me Argue More Confidently and I Can Stand by My Words”: Beginning Teachers’ Perspectives
“It made me argue more confidently and I can stand by my words”: Beginning teachers’ perspectives about mentoring, goal setting, and leadership during teacher registration.
Caterina Murphy and Jenny Butcher. Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa / NZ Childcare Association.
Full referenceMurphy, Caterina, & Butcher, Jenny (2015). “It
More than Door Talks. Insights into Parental Involvement in the Irish ECE and Care Context
Login to view the full article. Or to order a pdf copy of the article, go to the main NZIRECE Journal page.
International organisations including the OECD and UNICEF characterise parental involvement in young children’s care and education as a fundamental right and obligation. This is reflected in early childhood curricula internationally.
This paper argues that parental involvement involves much more than ‘door talks.’ Drawing upon Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, which underpins parental involvement, the paper discusses ECEC as a form of parental support vis a vis addressing poverty and educational disadvantage.
Generic or Specific? Deciphering the New Zealand Approach to Professional Standards for Early Childhood
Research exploring why NZ has taken the approach to professional standards for early childhood teachers that it has – generic to the primary and secondary sectors. 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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