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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
The Place of Travel in Teachers’ Professional Development
Travel in Teachers’ Professional Development. By Kathy Goouch and Hazel Bryan.
There has been increasing interest shown by those concerned with young children’s learning in international policy and practice. By travelling ourselves, we sought to understand the imperative for practitioners to look beyond their own geographical and cultural
Teaching How to Ride a Bike (a pedal bike)
Every child will learn things in their own time but learning how to ride a bike and using pedals before 5 years of age is a reasonable aspiration for parents and early childhood teachers to have for children.
It is a significant event in life that most of us can remember so it is worth making it a rewarding experience for a child.
The
Museum Visit
Museum visit with children.
You might think museums are stuffy. But, they can be interesting even for younger children particularly if there are hands-on activities.
A trip to the museum can be a great springboard for learning. It can provide inspiration and play ideas for many weeks following.
Here are some suggestions
Looking Professional in ECE: Clothing, Comfort and Common‑Sense (staff of all genders)
Clear advice on what to wear, what’s appropriate, and how to navigate expectations around uniforms, tattoos, jewellery, shoes and overall professional appearance. It’s a helpful guide for anyone starting a new role or wanting to feel confident, comfortable and respected in their early childhood workplace.
Service Provider Member Posts
Transforming Difficult Relationships with Senior Staff or Committee Members
Strong relationships are essential in ECE, especially when someone in a senior role begins to dominate, micromanage or undermine others. This piece helps leaders shift their focus to building healthy, respectful working relationships through clear boundaries, trust and effective communication.
Sandpit – Safety, Hygiene and Health
Sandpit safety and hygiene.
There are many potential safety problems and hazards in regard to sandpits.
Sandpit Safety.
Ensure that active supervision of children in the sandpit is provided at all times.
When the wind makes playing in the sandpit uncomfortable and poses a risk to children’s eyes withdraw children to other acti
Conflicts of Interest
Conflict of Interest.
A conflict of interest is when you, someone you are close to, employed by, or are personally friendly with may stand to benefit or gain in some way from a decision made at a meeting or within the service.
The board/committee, management, families and all involved in the early childhood service need to be confident that
Supervision While Eating – What the Requirements Mean and the Indicators to Help You Meet Them Confidently
The “supervision while eating” criterion is often misunderstood, especially the fact that it covers not only high‑risk choking foods but also allergic reactions, which can create real confusion about what supervision in practice looks like. This article explains the core requirements and provides practical indicators so you can keep children safe, protect yourself from allegations of harm, and ensure your service remains fully compliant.
Research Library – Today’s Featured Articles
Index for the NZ Research in ECE Journal, 2004, Vol 7
The titles, authors and abstracts for papers published in the NZ Research in Early Childhood Education Journal, Volume 7, 2004 are shown below.
To view any paper, scroll to the end of this page for copies.
Archive fragments: Infant Schools for the Youngest Settler Children in the Colony of New Zealand, 1840-50s
Helen MayVicto
Index for the NZ Research in ECE Journal, 2002, Vol 5
The titles, authors and abstracts for papers published in the NZ Research in Early Childhood Education Journal, Volume 5, 2002 are shown below.
To view any paper, scroll to the end of this page for copies.
Research as a Journey: The New Researcher as a First-time Traveller
Michael GaffneyChildren’s Issues Centre, DunedinNZ
Should we Consider Rhizomatic Thinking when Educating Young Minds?
Research on how rhizomatic thinking helps teachers understand, respond, and plan for children’s complexity of thought and cognitive development. Read the full paper below. Or to order a pdf copy of the article go to the main NZIRECE Journal page.
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
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