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

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.

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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.

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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.

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Early Childhood Care and Education Policy: Ireland Country Note

Early Childhood Care and Education Policy: Ireland Country Note.

Deirdre Horgan, Shirley Martin, Maura Cunneen and Marcella Towler. University College Cork, Ireland.

Full Reference: Horgan, D., Martin, S., Cunneen, M., & Towler M. (2014). Early childhood care and education policy: Ireland country note. New Zealand Research in Ear

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Independent Contractor or Employee? What Home‑Based Educators and Nannies Need to Know

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.

regulator actions, compliance and licensing.

The Ministry of Education Complaints Process and Complaints Recorded in 2019

COMPLAINTS PROCESS REPORT UPDATE: The last report on complaints released by the Ministry of Education was in 2021 for complaints it received against ECE services

Two children playing with Duplo blocks at early childhood centre.

Asperger’s Syndrome

Children with Asperger’s in ECE.

Here is an overview of what every parent, educator and child carer needs to know about Asperger’s Syndrome. It answers common questions such as:

What is Asperger’s Syndrome?How do I know if a child has Asperger’s?What are the earliest signs in infancy, toddlerhood and the preschool years? W

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Charging Fees When Closed for a Public Holiday

Charging Fees When Closed.

We asked ECE Service providers about their practices of charging fees when closed. A selection of comments is provided below. Add your comment on this topic and reply to any of the comments posted here.

See also public information on parent reactions to services continuing to charge fees when closed on statuto

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Heuristic Play and Treasure Baskets

Heuristic Play.

In the modern world where many toys are made of shiny coloured plastic and have buttons to press with flashing lights and noises, it is often easy to forget that simple things can interest and stimulate young children.

In fact these simple things can often be better for them as they have a wider range of textures an

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

Already a Teacher Member?

Five Reasons to Join Us

1. Professional recognition

2. Extra benefits

3. Professional growth and no-judgement help

4. Representation

5. Value for Money

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