Learning stories remain the most commonly used assessment approach, yet the way they are written can differ widely between settings. Even though teachers and home‑based educators understand the general purpose of learning stories, many still wonder what the best practice looks like and how to do them well.
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Here at the Office of Early Childhood Education we advocated from the beginning for pay parity for all early childhood teachers.
ANALYSIS
1644 early childhood spaces gone in 2024, as 87 services closed and just 50 ones opened,
Nationally, Aotearoa lost 1644 early childhood education (ECE) spaces in 2024, as a result of 37 more services closing than opening.
Spaces in education and care centres and spaces for over-2s overall were not changed significantly from the year before. It was
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.
The survey examined public and sector reactions to a proposed regulation change allowing early childhood centres to increase their licence size dramatically. Respondents warned that such large group environments would undermine quality, heighten risks to children’s wellbeing, and disadvantage those already most vulnerable.
There are serious outcomes of kindergarten changes at the Auckland Kindergarten Association (AKA). The following is an opinion article compiled by Dr Sarah Alexander and
Endorsing Third Party Schemes and Products.
What happens when parents see flyers / pamphlets and posters displayed in the entrance way of ECE services or when advertising material is sent home in children’s bags?
These might be from the Ministry of Education to promote the choices that it wants parents to make, or a new government scheme
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