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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
Child Vaccination Requirements
Children’s Immunisation and ECE.
One of the key international measures of a healthy population is a country’s percentage of children fully immunised against diseases.
The higher the immunisation rate, the more successful NZ is seen to be in protecting young children’s health. However, there are things you need to know and issues
Woodwork Tables, Tools, Gender Issues, and Rules
Woodworking in ECE is easier than you might think, and this guide shows you exactly what tools to get, how to set up the space and how to support children safely and confidently. Discover the huge developmental benefits of woodwork – from problem‑solving to coordination – and why even teachers with no carpentry experience can enjoy learning alongside the children.
Making Volcanoes
Making Volcanoes with Children.
Children find volcanoes intriguing.
Here are some key facts and simple information to share with children about volcanoes and geysers, along with a ‘recipe’ for making your very own fun miniature demonstration volcano. Introducing knowledge and understanding of volcanoes is a common part of teaching and
Choking Emergencies: A Practical First Aid Guide On What to Do
Choking emergencies can happen in seconds, and knowing the right steps matters. This practical guide gives you the essential, confidence‑building knowledge to respond quickly and safely in any ECE setting.
Service Provider Member Posts
A Small Privately-Owned Centre Set-Up
Small Privately-Owned Centre. By Marian Ayres Hill.
Setting up, managing and teaching in a small private preschool has many challenges, however it is very rewarding when you see the enormous benefits that a small owner-operated centre brings to children.
This is my story.
I trained as a kindergarten teacher in the 70s and spent 2
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
Noise Control and Reduction Methods
How to Reduce Noise Levels in an Early Childhood Environment.
Ways to assist adults and children reduce noise levels
Practical, low cost, solutions to making building and furniture changes to reduce and prevent noise.
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
Research Library – Today’s Featured Articles
Omissions and Presuppositions in Kei Tua o te Pae: A Critical Discourse Analysis
This research note describes some of the findings from an analysis of three introductory booklets of “Kei Tua o te Pae”, an early childhood assessment practice resource produced by the New Zealand Ministry of Education.
Analysis involved taking a critical discourse perspective to identify ways in which text was likely to persuade readers to
Discovering Meanings in Research with Children
Research with Children – The Meaning of Children’s Experiences and Views. Karen Liang Guo.
Published in the NZRECE Journal, Vol, 13, 2010, 101-112.
Abstract: Drawing on a qualitative research study this paper explores the aspect of ascribing meanings in research. It presents an example of research with young children which illustrate
Retaining Early Childhood Teachers: What Factors Contribute to High Job Satisfaction?
The results of a study on why early childhood teachers leave their jobs and factors such as better adult-to-child ratios that contribute to satisfaction in the workplace. Read the full paper below. Or to order a pdf copy of the article go to the main NZIRECE Journal page.
Suffer the Little Children by David Smith
In his self-published book, David Smith reflects on over 30 years of working in early childhood education, mainly in teaching roles at a variety of different service types.
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