New data shows a dramatic decline in regulatory action against
The ECE sector has delivered an unexpected bright spot in
A young child was left alone in a locked early
Who is Who and Does What in Relation to the
Slide safety.
UPDATE: Another case of strangulation showing that lessons have not yet been learnt. A child died in 2016 at Angels Childcare in Auckland due to strangulation on a slide.
An Opinion article on Slide Safety
By Dr Sarah Alexander September 1, 2010.
The mother of a young girl nearly strangled after being caught in a rope
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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.
Multiple regulatory breaches were uncovered by the Ministry of Education at Fern Garden Preschool and Childcare Centre in Tauranga—a centre owned by Darius Singh, President of the Early Childhood Council (ECC), and his wife, Niketta.
The Ministry supplied 40 hours of face-to-face professional coaching/ education to Fern Garden Preschool at a cost of $7,500 excl. gst to NZ taxpayers.
The following year breaches were discovered at two other of the owners’ centres.
This is significant because, as ECC President, Mr Singh is ultimately responsible for the quality of information and advice the Council provides to its members on managing services and meeting regulatory requirements. His leadership sets a behavioural standard for other centre operators affiliated with the ECC.
The Ministry of Education promotes the ECC as an advisor on ECE staff employment and centre operations, and regularly consults the lobby group for policy advice.
Key points
At Fern Garden Preschool and Childcare, the Ministry of Education believed building renovations were carried out between 2015 and 2017 which resulted in younger children losing direct access to outdoor play—constituting a breach of licensing regulations. This issue only came to light in 2020 after the Ministry investigated a complaint about other issues.
The Ministry gave several days’ notice before visiting the centre to discuss the complaint.
The centre then had just over a month before a formal inspection and compliance check was conducted.
Prevent Child Escapes.
Having a child slip out of a gate un-noticed or being sent home with the wrong person is something that everyone would dread.
It is expected that children are safe in their ECE environment and cared for at all times.
So in terms of developing policy and involving parents and others to play their part in ensuring th
What is Action Research?
Action research is defined in the glossary as:
A hands-on approach to research for change in a setting and/or to one’s own practices, thinking and knowledge. Action research can be a collaborative endeavour or carried out by an individual.
When action research is being undertaken to bring about change in a se
Early Childhood Teaching Theories.
During teacher education programmes, lecturers introduce students to the joys of studying a range of theorists. But many teachers appear to put theoretical perspectives of practice behind them immediately the essay-writing is over.
The purpose of this article is to breathe life into the work of t
The childcare subsidy helps families with the cost of early childhood education and is paid directly to the ECE service.
The ECE Sector Confidence Survey 2021 shows that confidence in the government has slipped. There seems to be a new wave of despondency through the
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