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Welcome to the Office of Early Childhood Education
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Public adviser on early childhood education and a national membership organisation for services, teachers, and everyone committed to high-quality ECE.
We provide member support and guidance, along with contributing to independent analysis, research, and policy advice.
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Membership Services and Support for:
Teacher Member Posts
Lunch, Rest, and Breastfeeding Breaks – What You Must Receive and What to Do When You Don’t
Early childhood employees have legal rights to rest, meal, and breastfeeding breaks. Working with young children is rewarding -but it’s also busy, demanding, and nonstop.…
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.…
The Kind of Teacher You Are
It all Comes Out in the Wash! Teaching Style and Thinking About The Kind of Teacher You Are. By Joy Lubawy. Have we moved forward…
Winter and Rainy Day Activities
Winter and Rainy Day Children's Activities. When the children are getting restless and the noise levels are going up and up and you are thinking…
Service Provider Member Posts
Maximising 20-Hours ECE Funding Around Public Holidays
20-Hours ECE Changes. When a service is closed for statutory holidays and is not providing care for children it does not receive funding. Unfortunately this…
Complaints Policy
Does your service have a complaints policy that people can easily understand and trust? A clear complaints process helps concerns be raised early, resolved fairly,…
Children Screaming – Risk to Adult and Child Hearing
How a child screaming can hurt adult ears What did you say? I can’t hear you. I’m cuddling a circular saw! By James Lochead-Macmillan. Most…
What Records to Retain and How Long
Retention of Records: Paperwork and what's Required to be Kept by the Ministry and Various Agencies, including IRD and the Charities Commission. Issues of safety,…
Research Library – Today’s Featured Articles
Public-Professional Barriers to Breastfeeding
Drawing on lived experience within the ECE sector, this reflection reveals how public‑professional attitudes can undermine breastfeeding despite clear developmental and equity benefits. It’s a…
Men who Teach Young Children: An International Perspective by David Brody
Author Dr David Brody provides a penetrating look at the lives and personal beliefs of male early childhood and kindergarten teachers. He also reviews the…
Children’s Participation in Disaster Risk Reduction as Curriculum
FULL REFERENCE: Fikriani, D. & Bone, J. (2014). Children's participation in disaster risk reduction as curriculum. NZ Research in Early Childhood Education Journal, Special Issue:…
Supported Playgroup Located on School Grounds: Developing Family Relationships Within a School Environment to Support Children’s Transition to School
FULL REFERENCE: Knaus, M. & Warren, J. (2015). A supported playgroup located on school grounds: Developing family relationships within a school environment to support children’s…
What We Do
The Office of ECE drives high-quality care, learning and teaching for all infants and young children and high-quality working environments for teachers and service providers.
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