Recognising Diverse Family Cultural and Religious Beliefs – And What Celebrations to Include in ECE

Search in Teacher
Multi-cultural awareness and providing a curriculum that supports the culture of families at early childhood centres and services.

Supporting family culture, values and beliefs is central to caring for and educating young children. Yet early childhood services often recognise some cultural and religious practices while overlooking others.

This article explores why that happens, the key questions educators should ask, and the practical ways services resolve differences in belief and celebration. We’ll consider what celebrations mean to families, tamariki and communities, and outline how services can respond respectfully and thoughtfully.

This is a member/subscriber only post. To access it, please see the message below for details on access and joining.
Already a Teacher Member?

Are you teaching and caring for children or studying for an ECE qualification?

If you are, that’s great!   Join us now, and become a teacher member.

Five Reasons to Join Us
1. Professional recognition

It is prestigious to belong to the OECE – you can skite about it! 

Ask us for an OECE Member Certificate, to include in your professional portfolio as proof you are engaged in reading and professional learning that advances your understanding of the relationship between practice and outcomes for children.

2. Extra benefits

No need to pay a subscription fee for access to NZ’s specialist ECE Newsroom – your member login will let you view everything in the ECE Newsroom. 

No need to pay to access the best NZ and international research – your member login gives you free access to the Research Library and support. 

3. Professional growth and no-judgement help

Teaching resources and advice on probably everything you can think of, including what to wear as a teacher, how to ask for a pay raise, identifying child behaviour causes and responding to needs, new play activity ideas, etc., etc.  all of this is at your finger-tips 24/7 whenever you need help or advice – login to view. 

4. Representation

Did you know that the OECE meets personally and regularly with the Ministry of Education national team, and the regulations committee and other forums? 

Political leaders and journalists are able to use the OECE to gain deeper knowledge on a topic or issue, and we provide a sounding board for ideas and feedback.

The OECE promotes safe working environments for teachers.  We also promote the absolute need for full pay parity with school teachers for all certificated teaching staff working in teacher-led centres and in home-based, and whether permanently or casually employed. 

5. Value for Money

We are committed to keeping membership prices affordable and providing value for money. 

Teacher membership is just $89 for a full year, or save by joining for 2 years.

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.

Related Posts

child with paint brush paints brightly coloured picture at kindergarten

Masters Thesis Directory

This is an education masters thesis directory. It shows NZ masters theses on research, policy analysis and/ or theory relevant to young children’s care, health, and teaching and leaning. The education masters thesis directory includes M.A., M.Ed., M.Phil, M, Health Science theses.

An education doctoral thesis directory is also available if yo

This is a member/subscriber only post. To access it, please see the message below for details on access and joining.

Read More »

Share This Information

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

The Office of ECE Login

Take Action!

Help spread this vital ECE information, join our free social and email groups and become a member of OECE.

pay parity funding policy

1. Share This Information

2. Follow Our Social Pages

3. Get Regular Updates

Sign up to our free newsletters.

4. Become a Member