101 services changed ownership: from whom and to whom, the details
ANALYSIS.29 May 2025.
The Busy Bees chain bought four privately-owned independent early childhood education services last year, bringing the total number of centres the company operates across New Zealand to more than 80.
Bright Beginnings ELC Peachgrove Rd, School of
NZ’s own specialist ECE newsroom.
Access national and local stories, in-depth analysis, & original commentaries.
(Comes with free Newsroom and Research access)
(Comes with free Newsroom and Research access)
Full access to over 25 years of ECE academic research articles – NZIRECE Journal.
Plus, guidance and resources on doing and publishing research
Has this been useful? Give us your feedback.
You are welcome to add a link to this page on your website. Copyright belongs to the OECE so please do not copy any content without our written permission.
Information provided is of a general nature. It is provided ‘as is’, and we accept no liability for its accuracy or completeness. See our Terms and Conditions.
Anyone thinking about getting a job in ECE working in ECE or thinking about moving to a different service will find clear, practical information in this article about pay rates, employment conditions, and what to expect in different roles. It explains everything from starting salaries and pay‑step calculations to workplace rights, benefits, and how to recognise a supportive, professional environment.
Discover the key organisations and sector groups shaping early childhood education in New Zealand – who they are, what they do, and how they influence the services, policies, and people at the heart of the ECE sector.
Getting a job. How can my ECE qualification help me to get a job? With an early childhood teaching qualification you may find yourself attractive
Regulation Breaches 2019 Update. 26/02/2020: The Ministry of Education notified that it had made error in recording a service as having a licence that was
July 2, 2015.Opinion articleDr Sarah Alexander More early childhood education money is going to business entrepreneurs, shareholders, and corporations than ever. Government spending on early
Parents negotiating fees can put pressure on your pricing policies.
Learn how to hold the line on fairness and why a carefully chosen discounted spot can sometimes be smarter than leaving a space empty
Research on how NZ early childhood teachers encourage children’s literacy and raise achievement in literacy. Read the full paper below. Or to order a pdf copy of the article go to the main NZIRECE Journal page.
The early childhood years are a busy, exciting time. New discoveries, skills and competencies are a regular part of life for a young child. Early childhood teachers have the opportunity to optimise these amazing and important years. In this article, I will discuss teaching strategies, such as co-construction, that can turn children’s possibilities into realities.
The practices that will be discussed involve expanding thinking, problem-solving and developing hypotheses. These teaching strategies can build on children’s learning dispositions and their strengths and interests to put the ‘wow factor’ into learning.
The ‘wow factor’
It is probably safe to say that most of us who choose to become teachers do so because we enjoy knowing that our work can make a meaningful contribution to children’s lives.
Most teachers I talk to are passionate about teaching and seeing young children learn.
Every early childhood service needs a clear Trauma Policy to protect children, families, and staff when the unexpected occurs.
Traumatic incidents can happen and having a well‑designed plan ensures your team responds safely, confidently, and in line with legal requirements.
Our comprehensive policy template and procedures give services the structure they need to act quickly, support wellbeing, and maintain a calm, coordinated response.
Help spread this vital ECE information, join our free social and email groups and become a member of OECE.
Sign up to our free newsletters.
