Call for Papers for the 2026 New Zealand International Research in Early Childhood Education Journal Special Issue
Theme: “Quality Begins with Teachers: Workforce Challenges in Early Childhood Education”
Call for papers
High-quality early childhood education begins with a skilled, supported, and sustainable workforce. This special issue calls for paper that explore the central paradox of our sector – the significant responsibility placed on teachers despite the systemic challenges that threaten their professional sustainability.
In this 2026 issue of the NZIRECE Journal, we aim to examine the complex realities educators navigate and the resilient practices they use to maintain high standards of care and education. We invite submissions from both New Zealand and international scholars that address the essential links between workforce wellbeing and pedagogical excellence. Papers from different perspectives are welcomed, including but not limited to topics of:
- Teacher identity and diversity across cultures and communities.
- Teacher wellbeing and mental health in the workplace.
- Building professional confidence and agency in early childhood teachers.
- Gender diversity in the ECE workforce.
- Children’s perspectives of attending early childhood centres.
- The opportunities and challenges of using artificial intelligence to support the ECE workforce.
- Economic imperatives and the early childhood workforce.
- Teachers’ perspectives on ECE policy and professional standards.
- Mentorship and leadership in professional growth.
- Working across diverse ECE settings.
- Coping strategies and professional resilience for educators in high pressure environments.
- Sustaining practice in rural, remote, or under-resourced communities.
Papers may take the following forms:
- Articles reporting original research
- An in-depth critical analysis or research or theory
- A research note reporting a large study in progress or a small scale completed project.
Other paper types such as commentaries and case studies are considered by the Editors on an individual basis. The word limit for articles is 5,000 words, excluding the list of references and any appendices (or 2,000 words for research notes).
See further information and follow the instructions for manuscript preparation.
Guest Editor
Dr Ting Wei is the guest editor of the 2026 NZIRECE Special Issue “Quality Begins with Teachers: Workforce Challenges in Early Childhood Education”.
Submission
Please submit your manuscript by 10 April 2026. Send it with a covering letter to: Dr Wei, Email: ting.wei@scu.edu.au
Make sure you have followed the instructions for manuscript preparation and removed personally identifying details ready for blind peer-review.
Would you like to look at past journal issues?
Browse the contents of previous NZIRECE Journal issues here.
