Looking Professional in ECE: Clothing, Comfort and Common‑Sense (staff of all genders)

Search in Teacher
Teacher with happy children playing outside at early childhood centre on summer day.

Clear advice on what to wear, what’s appropriate, and how to navigate expectations around uniforms, tattoos, jewellery, shoes and overall professional appearance. It’s a helpful guide for anyone starting a new role or wanting to feel confident, comfortable and respected in their early childhood workplace.

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

behavioural disorders

Bullying by Children as Young as 2 Years

Bullying by Children as Young as Two.

Children bullying another child is not uncommon, and it happens in early childhood centres and homes. Around one in ten children experience being bullied or picked on as a consistent experience from age two years, according to findings of a longitudinal study.

Here we will look at: Should a child be called a bully? What is bullying? Examples of bullying. What’s normal and how adults can stop bullying from developing in the first place

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

Read More »
early childhood education

Contents – NZ International Research in ECE Journal, 2025, Vol 27

New research on inclusive early childhood education, cultural responsiveness, digital technologies, anti‑bias practice, home‑based care, sustainability, and policy implementation. Across these diverse studies, authors offer fresh insights that deepen our understanding of ECE quality and the systems that shape children’s early education experiences.

Read More »
job description for early childhood teacher educator manager staff

Job Descriptions for Relievers

How to write a Job Description for a Reliever Position.

Many services like to use relieving staff they know, rather than going through an agency.

Below is a template for a job description that you can adapt to suit and use. If you would like more guidance and ideas go to the main article about writing JDs.

Service name or Logo

J

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