Waivers and Indemnity against theft or damage to a child’s belongings, injury, or death.
An early childhood service may choose to include a waiver or disclaimer for parents to sign at the time of enrolment. This may be included in the enrolment form or as a separate form.
The service may ask the parents/caregivers of a child with a serious
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.
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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.
Anyone thinking about getting a job in ECE working in ECE or thinking about moving to a different service will find clear, practical information in this article about pay rates, employment conditions, and what to expect in different roles. It explains everything from starting salaries and pay‑step calculations to workplace rights, benefits, and how to recognise a supportive, professional environment.
Discover the key organisations and sector groups shaping early childhood education in New Zealand – who they are, what they do, and how they influence the services, policies, and people at the heart of the ECE sector.
Getting a job. How can my ECE qualification help me to get a job? With an early childhood teaching qualification you may find yourself attractive
I am an a home-based educator. I work under contract with no income protection and no protection under labour laws.
I have worked for the agency for 7 years. I’ve worked seven days a week every Xmas and Easter and all other stat holidays.
OECE helps raise awareness of toddler’s brain injury IN THE MEDIA – October 12, 2025 This week, The Press and The Post published a story
On average, ECE teachers or staff members are off work for three to four months after sustaining a work related injury, ACC data indicates.
Two weeks ago, the Office of Early Childhood Education revealed that annually ACC accepts around 10,000 claims per year for injuries to children and staff at early childhood services. In total, the claims cost between $8 million and $9 million per year.
We have now obtained more statistics.
ANALYSIS
1644 early childhood spaces gone in 2024, as 87 services closed and just 50 ones opened,
Nationally, Aotearoa lost 1644 early childhood education (ECE) spaces in 2024, as a result of 37 more services closing than opening.
Spaces in education and care centres and spaces for over-2s overall were not changed significantly from the year before. It was
July 9, 2020. The Discoveries Educare Lincoln Road Henderson centre is the latest in the Auckland childcare chain to be closed by the Ministry of
A 5-month-old baby died while napping in a cot at an Auckland early childhood education (ECE) centre.
The tragedy is a reminder to everyone working in ECE services to use best practice when putting children to sleep. See the NZ Herald article: Baby’s death sparks call for tighter sleep regulations.
Coroner Alexander Ho found the little boy died, on March 17, 2023, from sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI). (The Office of Early Childhood Education has chosen not to name the child at this stage.)
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