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# The Office of ECE

## Sitemaps
[XML Sitemap](https://oece.nz/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages.

## Posts
- [What ECE Teachers and Workers Earn: Pay, Benefits and Conditions](https://oece.nz/public/information/teacher/wages-rates-pay-scales/): 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.
- [Who’s Who: Key Stakeholders in ECE and Organisations](https://oece.nz/public/information/early-childhood-education-system/): 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 with your ECE Qualification](https://oece.nz/public/information/teacher/getting-a-job-as-early-childhood-teacher/): Getting a job.
- [Men Changing Nappies in ECE: Safety, Rights, and Best Practice](https://oece.nz/public/big-issues/male-teachers/men-changing-nappies-ece/): This article explains why male teachers must be able to carry out all caregiving tasks, including nappy changing, and sets out how men can respond if an employer says they cannot, and how services can respond when parents request “only female staff.”
- [Kindercare Water‑Slide Chemical Burns: More Than a Detergent Mix‑Up](https://oece.nz/newsroom/stories/kindercare/): This story uncovers how a chemical‑burn incident at a Kindercare centre was not just a one‑off mistake but the result of systemic failures in safety, oversight, and regulation. See how both WorkSafe and the Ministry of Education allowed these risks to go unchecked, and what it means for children’s safety in ECE. The Problems Included: 1. Unsafe chemical storage: Industrial sanitiser was stored under the kitchen sink next to general dishwashing liquid, in similar‑looking containers with similar labels. 2. Poor activity planning: Staff began the activity without enough detergent, leading to trips back to the centre (where a teacher collected a container they believed was dishwashing liquid) and to the dairy (where the centre manager went to buy more). 3. No RAMS was completed: The water‑slide activity was known about the day before and parents were informed so children would bring clothing for wet play, yet the centre did not complete a risk assessment of the activity. 4. Use of unlicensed outdoor space: The centre routinely used a grass section outside the gate as an outdoor activity area, despite it not being licensed or approved. 5. No one questioned the container of industrial sanitiser: When the chemical was taken from the kitchen, and again when it was poured onto the slide, no staff member or the manager involved in the activity noticed or challenged the container. 6. Long‑term regulatory lack of oversight: The Ministry of Education had not conducted a full compliance assessment of the Kindercare centre since 2011.
- [ECE Funding Review: What the MAG Wants to Axe, Where the Money Will Go, and Who Is Making the Decisions](https://oece.nz/newsroom/announcements/ece-funding-review-questions-concerns-submission/): The ECE funding review proposals shift money toward large commercial daycare, cuts pay parity, reshapes equity funding, and overlooks quality, affordability, and small service sustainability.
- [ECE Food Programme: Audit Confirms Procurement Failures but Bigger Problems Persist](https://oece.nz/newsroom/stories/free-ece-food-programme/): The Auditor‑General has confirmed what the Office of Early Childhood Education (OECE) uncovered last year: the Government’s Free Food in Early Childhood Education Programme was built on a flawed contracting process that left only one organisation, KidsCan, in a position to receive the $8 million grant.
- [Full Details of the New Compliance Enforcement Regime for Services](https://oece.nz/newsroom/stories/red-tape-early-childhood-education-nz/): The Government’s promised “red tape reduction” is having the opposite effect in early childhood education the new compliance enforcement regime is longer, slower, and shifts more cost and responsibility onto services. This analysis explains exactly what has changed, why it matters for providers, and how the new system reshapes compliance, risk, and regulatory action across the ECE sector.
- [We Make Parent Surveys Easy for ECE Services](https://oece.nz/public/information/resources/parent-survey/): The ECE Parent Survey gives every licensed service (centres, home‑based, and hospital‑based) a simple, confidential way to understand what families truly think. Because it’s research‑based, easy to use, and free for many services, it’s an invaluable tool for strengthening quality, meeting consultation requirements, and building strong partnerships with parents and whānau.
- [The 5 Structural Indicators of Quality: Ratios, Group Size, ECE Teacher Qualified, Stable Staffing, and Space per Child](https://oece.nz/public/information/quality/structural-indicators/): The key elements that decades of international research show are essential for high‑quality early childhood education. If you want to understand why ratios, group size and teacher training - the “iron triangle of quality” - matter so much for children’s development, this is a clear and valuable guide.
- [Election 2026: A Guide to Political Party Promises for Early Childhood Education](https://oece.nz/newsroom/politics/election-2026-early-childhood-education-policy-guide/): The countdown to the 2026 election is on, and early childhood education is back in the spotlight. Some parties have already shown their hand, others are still to come, and policies will continue to shift as the campaign unfolds. This guide keeps you in the loop and updated regularly so you can compare party positions instantly and follow how their promises evolve. It’s your fast, reliable way to stay informed on what each party plans for ECE.
- [ECE Teacher Qualification and Person Responsible Proposed Reductions and Flexibilities](https://oece.nz/newsroom/reviews-recommendations/ece-teacher-qualification-analysis/): This analysis draws on deep knowledge of empirical research on quality ECE and on evidence about what best supports positive outcomes for children in teacher‑led early childhood settings. It also reflects the experience and insights contributed by OECE members and our Early Childhood Advisory Committee. 1. Context and Purpose of This Response The Ministry of Education is developing policy options to implement two Ministry for Regulation recommendations relating to staffing: - “Allow greater flexibility in workforce qualifications…” rather than developing a strategy to attract and retain ECE‑qualified teachers in services struggling to recruit or keep staff, or addressing service reluctance to employ qualified teachers due to cost pressures, profit margins, regulatory settings, or other operational decisions. - “Ensure the person responsible requirements are practical…” rather than ensuring these requirements reflect best practice for child safety, education, and care, and rather than reversing what was intended to be a temporary measure introduced during a staffing shortage that allowed primary‑trained teachers to act as a Person Responsible. In September 2025, the Office of Early Childhood Education (OECE) provided the Ministry with a paper offering advice and analysis on these recommendations. It is available here: Reducing Teacher Qualification Requirements This paper offers further comment and guidance in light of the policy options currently under development, to address the Ministry for Regulation’s recommendations on increasing qualification flexibility and ensuring the Person Responsible requirements reflect what is workable for service providers. 2. Why ECE Qualifications Matter
3. Risks the Ministry Must Put Before Ministers and Cabinet
4. Policy Options That Better Support Children and the Workforce
5. Our Recommendations for Amendments to Regulation 44
- [Did Cabinet Act on Flawed Advice About ECE Regulator Actions and Provisional Licences?](https://oece.nz/newsroom/stories/regulator-action-licensing/): Licence downgrades in early childhood education are set to become harder to apply. The change is driven by a claim that the Ministry of Education relies too heavily on provisional and suspended licences to address non-compliance. That claim formed the basis of the advice presented to, and accepted by, Cabinet, which was told that the current system penalises services too readily, even for minor breaches. Recent serious child health and safety incidents in which the Ministry took no licensing action raise a legitimate question: has the regulatory response, at times, been too lenient rather than overly punitive. To understand the basis for the Ministry for Regulation’s claim of over reliance on provisional licensing, we asked it to provide the evidence underpinning its conclusion. Here's what the evidence showed...
- [When Parents Want to Bargain Over Childcare Fees](https://oece.nz/members/service-provider/financial/bargain-over-fees-and-other-charges/): 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
- [Managing Staff Drug and Alcohol Impairment](https://oece.nz/members/service-provider/staffing-and-employment-relations/drugs-impaired-by-alcohol-teacher-staff/): Ensuring that staff are not impaired by drugs or alcohol is a fundamental responsibility for every ECE service. Staff whose behaviour or ability to function is affected by illicit drugs, controlled substances, or alcohol present a serious safety risk.
- [Budget 2026: Still Not Delivering for Children in ECE](https://oece.nz/newsroom/press-releases/budget-2026-nz-early-childhood-education/): Budget 2026 continues the Government’s pattern of minimal investment in ECE under Associate Education Minister David Seymour and Minister Erica Stanford, with no real focus on improving quality for children. Dr Sarah Alexander, Chief Advisor at the Office of Early Childhood Education (OECE), said the Budget “papers over problems” rather than fixing them.
- [Inviting ECE Teachers to Participate in a Survey of Use of Social Networks and Online Platforms](https://oece.nz/newsroom/announcements/social-networks-survey/): Our names are Hazel Woodhouse and Fiona Westbrook. We are inviting early childhood teachers and kaiako to take part in a short survey exploring how ECE teachers use social networks and online platforms in their professional lives.
- [Risks are Up: Budget 2026 Must Change Course](https://oece.nz/newsroom/press-releases/budget-2026-risks-for-ece/): "The early childhood sector does not need a big funding boost to paper over problems. What it needs is for the government to reverse the policy settings that are driving down safety and quality - settings that make it easier for service operators to generate profit, but harder for children to thrive.”
- [A Child Left Locked in a Van: Neglected by the ECE Centre, Failed by the System](https://oece.nz/newsroom/stories/child-locked-in-ece-van-after-excursion/): A young child was left alone in a locked early childhood centre van for almost 50 minutes in December summer heat. We asked the Ministry: “As the Government’s principal advisor on ECE policy and regulation and the agency responsible for ensuring licensed services keep children safe and meet regulatory requirements, does the Ministry accept accountability for child safety outcomes?” The Ministry responded: Login to keep reading this ECE Newsroom story.
- [ECE Policies: What’s Required, What’s Optional, and What’s Just Paperwork](https://oece.nz/members/service-provider/policies-procedures/what-policies-are-needed/): Learn the difference between the documentation ECE services are required to have and the policies they often write unnecessarily. Service leaders will benefit from understanding how to reduce paperwork, meet legal requirements efficiently, and free up time for what matters most - supporting children and staff.
- [A Giant Muddle: What Officials Are Not Explaining About the Transfer of ECE to the Education Review Office](https://oece.nz/newsroom/stories/director-of-regulation-ece-role/): The Government is pushing ahead with a proposal to shift ECE regulatory functions and the new Director of Regulation role from the Ministry of Education to the Education Review Office.
- [Early Learning: The Problem With Calling Early Childhood Education ‘Early Learning’](https://oece.nz/public/information/terminology/early-learning/): Don't be fooled into saying or using "early learning" to describe early childhood services or our sector. This article explains why early childhood education is a broader and more meaningful concept. If you want to understand the real difference between the two terms - and why it matters for children, parents and teachers - this is an essential read.
- [Staffing Rosters: Balancing Safety and Compliance at Opening and Closing](https://oece.nz/members/service-provider/staffing-and-employment-relations/staffing-at-beginning-end-of-day/): Staffing Rosters at opening and closing can make or break the safety and compliance of an early childhood service. Many leaders are unsure what the law actually requires, especially when only a few children remain at the end of the day. This article cuts through the confusion with clear guidance on ratios, supervision, and who can legally be left to open or close the centre and differences between legal and best practice.
- [Why We’re Building More ECE Centres Than We Need](https://oece.nz/newsroom/speaking-up/ece-growth-property-values-new-centres/): I'm hearing stories of a boom in planning for and construction of new early childhood education centres. It’s not being driven by rising child numbers.
- [Trauma Policy: Procedures for Responding to Critical Incidents and Trauma in ECE Services](https://oece.nz/members/service-provider/policies-procedures/trauma-policy/): 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.
- [Social Media Policy: Essential and Effective Guidelines and Template for Early Childhood Services](https://oece.nz/members/service-provider/policies-procedures/social-media-policy-early-childhood/): We provide a policy template as well as highlighting the main issues for your team to discuss and ensure your policy is practical, protective and aligned with the realities of social media use in New Zealand early childhood settings. Make time to think through the key considerations, risks and decisions involved. At the end of this article, you will find a Social Media Policy template that you can adapt and use to create a policy that suits your service’s needs, values and social media practices. When used well, social media can strengthen communication, build community and serve as a powerful marketing tool. When used poorly, it can compromise privacy, blur professional boundaries and damage trust. Social media refers to Internet based tools that allow users to publish information, opinions, images and other content. In New Zealand early childhood settings, the most commonly used platforms include
- [ECE Sector Shows Stability as Service Openings and Closures Balance Out](https://oece.nz/newsroom/stories/ece-sector-shows-stability-as-service-openings-and-closures-balance-out/): New figures show the early childhood education sector remained largely stable over the past year, with the number of teacher-led centres opening matching those that closed.
- [Childcare Subsidy](https://oece.nz/public/information/fees/childcare-subsidy-a-tax-deduction/): The childcare subsidy helps families with the cost of early childhood education and is paid directly to the ECE service.
- [Waiting Times For Children to Get Into Early Childhood Education Fall Across All Service Types](https://oece.nz/newsroom/stories/waiting-times/): Waiting times for early childhood education have dropped across the country, with new figures showing families are generally getting faster access to services than they were two years ago. Login with your ECE Newsroom or OECE Member password to read the full article.
If your subscription has lapsed - or you’d like to join - you can reactivate or sign up for full ECE Newsroom access. OECE chief advisor Dr Sarah Alexander says that although the figures point to easier access, the shift is more likely to reflect a drop in demand than an increase in supply.
- [New Early Childhood Service Openings Surge – But What Does This Growth Really Mean](https://oece.nz/newsroom/stories/new-early-childhood-services/): New ECE services are opening at pace across Aotearoa - but the story behind the growth is far more complex than the headline suggests. Login with your ECE Newsroom or OECE Member password to read the full article.
If your subscription has lapsed - or you’d like to join - you can reactivate or sign up for full ECE Newsroom access. You can explore the full list of newly licensed ECE services in one place, here.
- [Supervision While Eating – What the Requirements Mean and the Indicators to Help You Meet Them Confidently](https://oece.nz/members/educator/wellbeing/supervision-of-children-eating/): 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.
- [Casual, Fixed‑Term, or Permanent? What Early Childhood Teachers Need to Know](https://oece.nz/members/educator/job-guidance/casual-fixed-term-permanent-employment/): It’s becoming common for early childhood services to place teaching staff on casual or fixed‑term contracts - when the role is ongoing and really should be permanent. Since the government changed pay‑parity rules to exclude all non‑permanent teaching staff, we’re hearing from teachers that some employers are now using casual and fixed‑term contracts to avoid paying qualified and certificated teachers the pay‑parity rates they receive funding for. This can mean lost income, fewer rights, and less job protection for teachers who should legally be permanent. It’s more important than ever to understand your rights and know what type of employment you actually have - not just what your contract says. Log in with your member details to read the full guidance. If your membership has lapsed or you’d like to join, get in touch and we’ll help you get set up quickly. If this is happening to you or to a colleague, it matters. You need to know your rights and be certain about the type of employment you actually have.
- [Independent Contractor or Employee? What Home‑Based Educators and Nannies Need to Know](https://oece.nz/members/educator/job-guidance/independent-contractor-homebased/): If you work in your own home under a licensed home‑based agency, or in a family’s home as a nanny or home‑based educator, you may be asked to sign an agreement saying you’re an independent contractor. But being incorrectly hired as a contractor can cost you real money, key employment rights, and important protections. Many educators don’t realise the risks until it’s too late - which is why it’s crucial to check whether your work arrangement actually meets the legal test. Log in with your member details to read the full guidance. If your membership has lapsed or you’d like to join, get in touch and we’ll help you get set up quickly. Here we help you to learn how to tell if you’re truly a contractor or if you should legally be an employee, and what to do if something doesn’t look right.
- [Sick Leave: Key Rights and Rules for Teachers and Staff](https://oece.nz/members/educator/job-guidance/sick-leave/): Learn your paid sick leave rights - and what every person who works in early childhood settings needs to know to protect themselves, their income, and the children they care for. People working in early childhood education get sick more often than those in many other professions. Close contact with young children, shared resources, and constant exposure to new bugs means illness spreads quickly. That’s why understanding your sick leave entitlements isn’t optional - it’s essential for your wellbeing and your job security. If you’re applying for a role in an ECE centre, home‑based service, kindergarten, playcentre, or hospital‑based setting, one of the most important questions you can ask is: “What sick leave do you provide?” This article explains exactly what you’re entitled to, how sick leave works in real ECE settings, and what to do if you feel pressured to work while unwell. Log in with your member details to read the full guidance. If your membership has lapsed or you’d like to join, get in touch and we’ll help you get set up quickly. Why Staying Home When You’re Sick Matters When you’re unwell, it can be tempting to “push through” and go to work. But in ECE, that can cause more harm than good.
- [NZ International Research in Early Childhood Education Journal](https://oece.nz/members/research/nzirece/new-zealand-international-research-in-early-childhood-education-journal/): The journal is indexed in Scopus and available internationally through Informit, as well as through New Zealand tertiary libraries and many university libraries internationally.
- [Are Marbles Really Allowed in ECE Centres and Homebased?](https://oece.nz/members/service-provider/health-and-safety/give-marbles-to-a-1-year-old/): Marbles and other small objects might seem harmless, but in ECE settings they can quickly become a serious choking hazard. We explain what the regulations actually require and give you clear indicators to help you manage these risks confidently and keep children safe.
- [Early childhood sector doubts new reforms will bring significant change](https://oece.nz/newsroom/in-the-media/ece-licensing-reform/): Ninety-eight licensing criteria are cut down to 80, while two have been cut entirely and 16 merged into others.
- [ECE Licensing Reforms Take Effect, but Experts See No Real Improvement](https://oece.nz/newsroom/stories/ece-licensing-criteria-2026/): New licensing criteria for early childhood education (ECE) services have now taken effect. Sector experts say the update is a missed opportunity to improve safety and quality, describing it as little more than a renumbering exercise.
- [CCTV and Security Camera Policy](https://oece.nz/members/service-provider/policies-procedures/cctv-security-camera-policy/): The Office of ECE provides this CCTV policy template and guidance to help services using indoor or outdoor security cameras meet their legal obligations under the Privacy Act, the Children’s Act, and other key legislation. With camera use under increasing scrutiny, every service that operates CCTV in areas where children or staff may be present needs clear, transparent procedures to ensure lawful, ethical, and defensible practice. Gaps in your policy can put your service and the trust of families, at risk. Log in with your member details to access the full guidance and template. 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. Home‑based providers may also use this template to develop a policy for educators who have security cameras operating in their family homes.
- [Child Protection Policy: Strategic, Powerful and Clear Framework for ECE Providers](https://oece.nz/members/service-provider/policies-procedures/child-protection-policy/): 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. Login to read more
- [Privacy Policy: Compliant, Caring Protection for All](https://oece.nz/members/service-provider/policies-procedures/privacy-policy/): A strong, up‑to‑date Privacy Policy is essential for every early childhood service because it protects the personal information of children, families, and staff while ensuring full compliance with the Privacy Act 2020. With new sector‑specific guidance now in place, services must be confident that their policies reflect current legal expectations and best practice. Our comprehensive policy template and procedures give services a clear, reliable framework to stay compliant, safeguard trust, and respond effectively to any privacy concerns.
- [ECE Safety and Standards Enforcement Drops Sharply](https://oece.nz/newsroom/stories/ece-safety-and-standards-enforcement-drops-sharply/): New data shows a dramatic decline in regulatory action against early childhood education services.
- [Lowest Number of ECE Service Closures in Recent Years](https://oece.nz/newsroom/stories/number-reasons-for-early-childhood-service-closures-2025-data/): The ECE sector has delivered an unexpected bright spot in an otherwise difficult year for New Zealand businesses. Across the country, 2025 recorded the highest number of business closures in more than a decade, with many sectors hit hard by rising costs and tightening margins. Despite these pressures, the ECE sector remained comparatively insulated. LOG IN for the full data, trends, and what they reveal about the sector’s resilience.
- [Code of Conduct for ECE Services](https://oece.nz/public/information/resources/code-of-conduct/): The Code of Conduct applies to all licensed early childhood services throughout NZ Aotearoa, including centre-based, home-based, and hospital-based. It sets out the standards that families can right expect of any licensed ECE service.
- [Illness and Infectious Disease Policy: Covering Children and Adults](https://oece.nz/members/service-provider/policies-procedures/immunisation-infectious-diseases-policy/): Illness and infectious‑disease management is under closer scrutiny than ever, and every ECE service must have a policy that reflects current regulations and best practice. A weak or outdated policy can put children at risk, expose staff to preventable illness, and leave your service vulnerable during a licensing inspection, ERO review, or complaint. This article shows you how to write a strong, compliant illness and infectious diseases policy for your centre or home‑based service - and provides a practical template you can use to update your current procedures immediately. Log in with your member details to access the full guidance and template. 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. Centres and home‑based services play a vital role in safeguarding children’s health. Clear, well‑informed procedures are essential for preventing exposure to infectious illnesses and reducing the risk of outbreaks.
- [Sick Leave: ECE Employer Guide to Legal Duties, Proof, and Best Practices](https://oece.nz/members/service-provider/staffing-and-employment-relations/sick-leave-performance-management/): ECE employers - managing sick leave is becoming increasingly complex, and getting it wrong can put pressure on ratios, disrupt staffing, and create legal and health‑and‑safety risks. This guidance covers exactly what you must provide, how to support staff appropriately, and how to protect your service when absences occur. Running an early childhood service means constantly balancing legal obligations, maintaining safe staffing levels, and finding cover at short notice. 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. Sick leave is one of the hardest parts of that balancing act - especially when absences create strain or when you’re unsure how to respond in a way that is both fair and compliant.
- [Lunch, Rest, and Breastfeeding Breaks – What You Must Receive and What to Do When You Don’t](https://oece.nz/members/educator/job-guidance/lunch-and-rest-breaks/): 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. Many early childhood teachers and employees tell us they’re unsure about what breaks they’re actually entitled to, especially when every service seems to make arrangements differently. We explain your entitlements and what to do when your employer isn’t meeting the law. Log in with your member details to read more. If your membership has lapsed and you’d like to renew - or if you’re interested in becoming a member - just get in touch with us and we’ll help you get started. The good news is: 1. The law is clear
2. ECE services are not exempt. You have minimum break entitlements, and your employer must make sure you can take them.
- [The 13 Big Changes the Government Has Made to ECE](https://oece.nz/newsroom/stories/ece-reform-13-big-changes-government-has-made/): The National-Act-NZ First Coalition Government took office in November 2023. Erica Stanford became Minister of Education. In early 2024, David Seymour was given the early childhood education (ECE) portfolio. Shortly afterwards, he announced that ECE would be the first sector reviewed by the newly established Ministry for Regulation.
- [Early Reading Together: A Practical, Proven Literacy Programme for ECE Services](https://oece.nz/public/information/resources/early-reading-together/): Early Reading Together® supports ECE teachers to run effective literacy workshops that strengthen how families talk, read, and learn together. This proven, research‑based programme is practical, enjoyable, and gives services simple, powerful ways to boost children’s early language and reading development.
- [Looking forward to Easter – Planning and guidance](https://oece.nz/newsroom/announcements/easter-early-childhood-education/): Easter is a time many children look forward to - chocolate, a long weekend and family time - and it’s likely you’ll plan something at your early childhood service.
- [Meal and Rest Breaks: What ECE Employers Must Provide](https://oece.nz/members/service-provider/staffing-and-employment-relations/meal-rest-breaks-staff/): Does your ECE service meet requirements for staff meal and rest breaks? Check your legal duties now and learn how to manage breaks well. Log in with your member details to read more. If your membership has lapsed and you’d like to renew – or if you’re interested in becoming a member – just get in touch with us and we’ll help you get started. Running an early childhood service is demanding, and ensuring smooth staffing throughout the day can be challenging. Most ECE employers genuinely want to support their staff and run a safe, high‑quality service. Providing rest and meal breaks is a key part of that. This article outlines what employers must legally provide, why exemptions do not apply to ECE, and how to manage breaks while operating and maintaining a high standard of service.
- [ECE Provider Shut Down, Owing More Than $1 Million and Holding Five Vehicles Including a 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://oece.nz/newsroom/stories/early-childhood-education-provider-company-liquidation/): A group of three early childhood centres operating under the Happy Sprouts Educare brand has gone into liquidation following licence withdrawals and significant debts, according to a report in the NZ Herald by journalist Tom Raynel.

## Pages
- [ECE National Survey 2026](https://oece.nz/survey/): Your voice is critical now. Share your anonymous experiences. Your survey feedback builds the data needed by decision‑makers to understand ECE.
- [Pay Parity Steering Group](https://oece.nz/about-us/pay-parity-steering-group/): The founding members of the pay parity steering group (PPSG) were Karen McPherson, Sarah Alexander, and David Haynes, and the working group expanded as more people joined.
- [Your Account Details](https://oece.nz/about-your-membership/): To do any of the following: 1st click on the relevant link, 2nd scroll down this page to see the relevant details.
- [Terms and Conditions of Membership and Website Use](https://oece.nz/terms-and-conditions/): Please make sure you review and understand the Terms and Conditions of membership and website use below.
- [Early Childhood Advisory Committee](https://oece.nz/about-us/ecac/): Our early childhood advisory committee (ECAC) is an independent oversight group, supporting the OECE by providing a sounding board and advice targeted to achieving better quality early childhood education and care for the benefit of children, their families and whānau, and ultimately for society. 
- [NZIRECE Journal Editor and Board](https://oece.nz/about-us/nzirece-journal-editor/): The NZIRECE Journal was launched in 1997 and was New Zealand's first academic peer-reviewed journal for early childhood education.
- [Chief Advisor](https://oece.nz/about-us/chief-advisor-sarah-alexander/): Dr Sarah Alexander, the Office of Early Childhood Education’s Chief Advisor, has dedicated more than 40 years to the early childhood sector. In her role with the OECE, she advises service providers and managers, analyses policy, reviews research, writes for professionals, leads key initiatives, and supports parents and community organisations across a wide range of projects.
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- [Contact Us](https://oece.nz/contact/): Replies: We are sorry that due to the large volume of emails we receive not every email can be individually replied to - but rest assured, your email will be read. As a general rule we do not reply to and give advice on individual personal circumstances - please contact a lawyer or your local community advice centre.
- [Membership Options](https://oece.nz/membership-options/): Choose the membership option that suits
- [About Us](https://oece.nz/about-us/): The Office of Early Childhood Education (OECE) is a public adviser on ECE and national body for services and teachers. Our work is grounded in evidence about what best supports tamariki. We prioritise children’s wellbeing and the delivery of high‑quality early childhood education, and we support the sector to put those priorities into practice.
- [Home](https://oece.nz/): Tēnā koutou katoa
- [Font Ideas](https://oece.nz/archivo-narrow-merriweather/): Merriweather body text
- [Privacy Policy](https://oece.nz/privacy-policy/): Members are asked to respect the privacy of other members and not share, republish, or in any other way disclose any member comments without the permission of both the member and the OECE.

## Categories
- [2021 NZIRECE Journal No. 2. Special Issue](https://oece.nz/members/research/nzirece-journal-2021-2/)
- [Services that Breach Regulations - Annual Lists](https://oece.nz/public/information/standards/)
- [2022 NZIRECE Journal](https://oece.nz/members/research/2022-nzirece-journal/)
- [2023 NZIRECE Journal](https://oece.nz/members/research/2023-nzirece-journal/)
- [2024 NZIRECE Journal](https://oece.nz/members/research/2024-nzirece-journal/)
- [How-to-do Research Articles and Thesis Library](https://oece.nz/members/research/how-to-do-research/)
- [Press Releases](https://oece.nz/newsroom/press-releases/)
- [Political Parties: Their Election Promises & Actions](https://oece.nz/newsroom/politics/)
- [ECE Newsroom Restricted](https://oece.nz/ece-newsroom-restricted/)
- [In the Media](https://oece.nz/newsroom/in-the-media/)
- [Submissions and Policy Reviews](https://oece.nz/newsroom/reviews-recommendations/)
- [2025 NZIRECE Journal](https://oece.nz/members/research/2025-nzirece-journal/)
- [Sarah's View](https://oece.nz/newsroom/latest-sarah-alexander-view/)
- [NZIRECE Journal: Contents Pages](https://oece.nz/members/research/nzirece/)
- [Resources](https://oece.nz/public/information/resources/)
- [Speaking Up — Voices in ECE](https://oece.nz/newsroom/speaking-up/)
- [All Teacher Posts](https://oece.nz/members/educator/)
- [Pay Parity](https://oece.nz/public/big-issues/pay-parity/)
- [Notices](https://oece.nz/newsroom/announcements/)
- [Premises, Facilities, Layout & Space](https://oece.nz/members/service-provider/physical-improvements/)
- [Quality ECE: What It Looks Like & How We Measure It](https://oece.nz/public/information/quality/)
- [Archive: Historical Articles](https://oece.nz/archive/)
- [ECE Newsroom](https://oece.nz/newsroom/)
- [Professional Learning & Development](https://oece.nz/members/educator/professional-development/)
- [2012 NZRECE Journal Articles](https://oece.nz/members/research/2012-nzrece-journal-articles/)
- [Behaviour and Social Skills Support](https://oece.nz/members/educator/behaviour-management-social-skills/)
- [All Service Provider Posts](https://oece.nz/members/service-provider/)
- [2013 NZRECE Journal Articles](https://oece.nz/members/research/2013-nzrece-journal-articles/)
- [Members Area](https://oece.nz/members/)
- [Latest News and Stories](https://oece.nz/newsroom/stories/)
- [Fees and Childcare Subsidies](https://oece.nz/public/information/fees/)
- [Advertising and Marketing / Promotion](https://oece.nz/members/service-provider/marketing/)
- [New Zealand Public Information](https://oece.nz/public/information/)
- [Putting Theory into Practice](https://oece.nz/members/educator/teaching/)
- [NZ-International Research in ECE Journal: All Articles](https://oece.nz/members/research/)
- [2014 Special Policy Issue](https://oece.nz/members/research/2014-special-policy-issue/)
- [Public Area](https://oece.nz/public/)
- [Quality ECE in NZ: Research Papers](https://oece.nz/members/research/research-quality/)
- [Parents’ Guide: ECE Options, Choosing Well & Your Rights](https://oece.nz/public/information/childcare-choices/)
- [Financial Management and Records](https://oece.nz/members/service-provider/financial/)
- [Working in ECE: Pay Rates, Qualifications, Support](https://oece.nz/public/information/teacher/)
- [Gifted and Talented Children](https://oece.nz/members/educator/gifted/)
- [2015 NZRECE Journal Articles](https://oece.nz/members/research/2015-nzrece-journal-articles/)
- [The Big Issues in Early Childhood Education and Care](https://oece.nz/public/big-issues/)
- [How Much ECE Participation vs Parent Time?](https://oece.nz/public/big-issues/promoting-participation/)
- [Health and Safety Management](https://oece.nz/members/service-provider/health-and-safety/)
- [Survey Results & Investigation Reports](https://oece.nz/public/information/reports/)
- [Book Reviews](https://oece.nz/members/research/book-reviews/)
- [People Profiles and Career Stories](https://oece.nz/public/information/career-stories/)
- [Key Sector Groups and Organisations](https://oece.nz/public/information/sector-groups/)

## Tags