“I have nothing against employing men – but why put my centre at risk? Parents don’t want a male tending to their child’s personal needs. This is the type of society we now live in.”
owner of an early childhood service
Dr Alexander Replies
* In a childcare/early childhood education context children are not any safer with wo
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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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
Another article highly recommended for everyone involved in early childhood education is: Fikriani, D. & Bone, J. (2014). Children’s participation in disaster risk reduction as
“Shaping our Future”: The submission to the Ministry for Regulation of a grouping of service providers and their representatives.
A group of service providers and lobby groups want ECE services to be left to run themselves as they see fit.
They made a submission, titled “Shaping our Future” to the Ministry for Regulation calling for a self-regulation and monitoring scheme – the object of which would be to ensure that regulatory responsibility is not concentrated in the hands of the Ministry of Education (or any other government agency).
They include NZ Kindergartens Inc, Te Rito Maioha, Barnardos, a Home Base Childcare Association, and a group led by Kelly Seaburg (New Shoots) which has some of NZ’s biggest private operators like Busy Bees, Kindercare, and Evolve Education.
It’s becoming common for early childhood services to place teaching staff on casual or fixed‑term contracts – when the role is ongoing and really should be permanent.
Since the government changed pay‑parity rules to exclude all non‑permanent teaching staff, we’re hearing from teachers that some employers are now using casual and fixed‑term contracts to avoid paying qualified and certificated teachers the pay‑parity rates they receive funding for. This can mean lost income, fewer rights, and less job protection for teachers who should legally be permanent.
It’s more important than ever to understand your rights and know what type of employment you actually have – not just what your contract says.
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.
If this is happening to you or to a colleague, it matters. You need to know your rights and be certain about the type of employment you actually have.
Teachers Strike Action Boosts Kindergarten Finances. Dr Sarah Alexander. April 3, 2023. OPINION: There is an issue related to the recent teachers strike, that so
Low Indoor Room Temperature. Opinion article. By an early childhood teacher (name withheld). As a teacher I never thought I would find myself having to
ECE Sector Confidence Survey 2025 results Monday, 19 May 2025. Press Release: Office of Early Childhood Education. Confidence in where the early childhood education sector
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