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Welcome to the Office of Early Childhood Education

National and public adviser on ECE, the OECE is a sector body representing teachers and all types of licensed services driving safer, higher‑quality education for every child

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Teacher Member Posts

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sand play
Outside‑the‑Box Play Ideas

Sandpit Play Variations and Learning Extension

Extending play in the sandpit and ways of turning the sandpit into an amazing social hub for learning.

Below are practical tips and guidance for teachers and parents on 

variations to basic sandpit play equipment and changes you can introduce daily or weekly to maintain and invigorate children’s interest and participation,ways to get ch

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Outside‑the‑Box Play Ideas

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

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boys and girls happy
Gender in Play and Learning

Boys Liking Feminine Things

Gender expectations on boys.

Young boys can love pretty and feminine things. They like to dress up in pretty clothes and be princesses, fairies, and play female roles.

But parents may worry that it could be an early sign of femininity and see that teachers who allow boys to dress-up in girls’ clothes are setting them up for ridicule. 

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child filling watering can using hose
Gifted and Talented Children

Parenting a Gifted Child – What Parents Learn

Parenting a Gifted Child. By Melanie Wong.

Someone asked me ‘how can you manage your life with children who don’t like to sleep?’

I replied that ‘it is alright when you are used to it’.

I wish I had thought quickly enough at the time to also tell her how much I enjoy being with my children, as they did not only come into m

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Service Provider Member Posts

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Male teacher and small group interaction with children mixed ethnicity
Policy and Procedure Templates & Guides

Child Protection Policy: Strategic, Powerful and Clear Framework for ECE Providers

Updated April 2026 with the latest regulatory requirements.

A strong child protection policy isn’t just about meeting licensing standards – it’s a core safeguard for children, your team, and the trust families place in your service.

With new 2026 updates now in force, it’s essential your policy reflects current expectations and best practice.

Log in with your member details to read the full guidance. If your service’s membership has lapsed or you’d like to join, get in touch and we’ll help you get set up quickly.

On this page, we break down the latest regulatory changes, provide the most effective template to use, and share practical insights to help your service demonstrate a genuine, proactive commitment to child protection.

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managers and owners need some tender loving care too
Employer Guides and Staff Management

Caring for Yourself When Managing or Leading an ECE Service/s

Caring for yourself when managing a service or in the role of a leader. And, the responsibilities that owners and governance committees must meet in regard to supporting the manager and leaders. 

Introduction

There seems to be the perception and expectation that managers and leaders should be able to face difficulty in their role and

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the importance of touch as part of caregiving and teaching children
Employer Guides and Staff Management

Owner Worried about Putting Service at Risk By Employing Men

“I have nothing against employing men – but why put my centre at risk? Parents don’t want a male tending to their child’s personal needs. This is the type of society we now live in.”  

owner of an early childhood service

Dr Alexander Replies

* In a childcare/early childhood education context children are not any safer with wo

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Research Library – Today’s Featured Articles

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early childhood research journal online
2014 Special Policy Issue

Parents’ Choices of Child Care in Australia

Parents’ Choices of Child Care in Australia.

Wendy Boyd. Southern Cross University, Australia.

Full Reference: Boyd, W. (2014).  Parents’ choices of child care in Australia.  NZ Research in Early Childhood Education Journal. Special Issue: Early Childhood Policy, 17, 51 – 70.

Original Policy Paper

Abstract

Little is k

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early childhood research journal online
2015 NZRECE Journal Articles

“It is a Risk, But it is a Risk Worth Taking”: Early Childhood Teachers’ Reflections on Review of Practice Using an Approach of Practical Philosophy

“It is a risk, but it is a risk worth taking”: Early childhood teachers’ reflections on review of practice using an approach of practical philosophy.

Anne Grey. AUT University, NZ.

Full reference: Grey, A. (2015). “It is a risk, but it is a risk worth taking”: Early childhood teachers’ reflections on review of practice usin

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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.
Teacher supervising infant and young child playing in playground at ECE centre.

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