New licensing criteria for early childhood education (ECE) services have
New data shows a dramatic decline in regulatory action against
The ECE sector has delivered an unexpected bright spot in
Who is Who and Does What in Relation to the
Retention of Records: Paperwork and what’s Required to be Kept by the Ministry and Various Agencies, including IRD and the Charities Commission.
Issues of safety, privacy, and storage.
Early childhood service reports and records should always be kept in a safe place and not in someone else’s home, car, or workplace. In case of fire it
Not a member? Service owners, managers, and community organisations may apply to join as a service provider.
It is prestigious to belong to the OECE. Membership is usually by invitation. Online applications can be made if you think your service meets the criteria. To be a member a service must have as its first priority a focus on being high-quality for children and families. It must also agree to follow the standards in the Code of Conduct for ECE Services.
Running a parent survey when you want to do one is simple – we handle it for you and provide you with a confidential copy of the results. We will also cover the cost of the survey.
Promoting your service online to parents is taken care of. The OECE has partnered with the My ECE website and the ECE Parents’ Council Aotearoa to give members free advertising for their service. For details directly contact My ECE
Free subscription access to the ECE Newsroom – your service provider member login will let you view everything in the ECE Newsroom.
Complimentary access to over 25 years of published NZ and international research – your service provider member login gives you free access to the Research Library and support.
Management and ECE employment resources and advice will be at your finger-tips 24/7. We have so much available in the service provider area of our website – ranging from templates for policies, guidance on managing cashflow and debtors, staff drug use, negotiating pay with staff, and through to topics such as best sandpit design.
We will make running a staff survey simple for you. You can use our specially designed survey. We collect the results and will provide you with a confidential report of the findings. (50% discount available to service provider members).
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.
Members have a direct line of communication with Dr Sarah Alexander, to bring to Sarah’s attention and discuss what’s affecting your service and community of children, families, and staff.
We are committed to keeping membership prices affordable and providing value for money.
Membership rates start at just $250 for 12-months. Or join for 2 years for only $350. For providers with multiple licensed services, the rates reduce per service the more licensed services you operate.
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.
Who is Who and Does What in Relation to the ECE Sector & Contacts Teacher Organisations and Associations NZEI – Union for the industrial interests
The minimum adult wage for a worker in NZ is $23.95 an hour (from 1 April 2026). The 2026/27 Living Wage rate is $29.90. Keep reading for information specific to pay rates in the early childhood sector.
January 13, 2013. Consultation on the review was to have started already, but the Ministry of Education sent a letter to home-based services last month
The Wellington early childhood education centre from which David Seymour announced the ECE sector would be his new Ministry for Regulation’s first target had itself breached regulations 18 months earlier, the Office of Early Childhood Education has discovered.
The Ministry of Education spent more than $35,000 supporting the service operator to address problems identified in the breaches, Ministry documents obtained by the OECE under the Official Information Act showed.
We asked our ECE service newsletter subscribers if they would like to see the requirements for regular cleaning of high touch surfaces etc throughout the
This article offers many appropriate activity ideas for celebrating the Chinese New Year with children, parents, grandparents, and teachers in early childhood education settings.
It also explains the legend of the beast Nian, who threatened crops, describes traditional family customs for Chinese New Year, and outlines how contemporary festivals are celebrated today.
Imminent Funding Review and Putting free ECE lunches, and FamilyBoost on the mainstream news agenda IN THE MEDIA – July 11, 2025. The OECE’s chief advisor, Dr Sarah
Traumatic incidents at ECEs receiving Ministry Traumatic Incident Team support
NEWS/ANALYSIS. 3 July 2025.
The Ministry of Education responded to 126 traumatic incidents in the last five and a half years.*
It has a Traumatic Incident Team to support ECEs following a traumatic event. The TI teams work alongside ECEs to help them put pro
Help spread this vital ECE information, join our free social and email groups and become a member of OECE.
Sign up to our free newsletters.
