Speaking Up — Voices in ECE
First‑hand accounts from parents, teachers, service owners, and the public about life in the early childhood sector. Honest, sometimes difficult stories that reveal strengths, gaps, and issues that need attention. Read, reflect, and share.
Share your story — contact us or send it directly to our office. Your name and personal details will be kept anonymous on request.
Why We’re Building More ECE Centres Than We Need
I'm hearing stories of a boom in planning for and construction of new early childhood education centres. It’s not being driven by rising child numbers.
Let’s Not Follow Australia: A Sobering Warning for NZ Early Childhood Education
The experience of Australia is a timely reminder to us in NZ Aotearoa of the danger of reducing standards. A year ago, the Ministry for…
Witnessing the good and bad of ECE as a first time mum
As I entered the children’s toilet area to change my son’s nappy before taking him home, I quickly figured out why our family had been…
Money, Not Children, More Important for “Premium” Children’s Centre, parent says
When I first visited the centre in which I would enrol my son, I marvelled at the incredibly healthy, wholesome and varied meals prepared by…
How Relievers are Treated
How are relievers in early childhood centres treated? This article is published in the OECE's speaking-up series. 28 April 2025. The writer has asked to…
Spot Checks: Protecting Safety and Standards
Spot Checks: Protecting Safety and Standards This opinion article is published as part of our 'Speaking-up' series By Bonnie Te Ara Henare. 11 December 2024.…
Force-Feeding Children: Why Silence Enables Harm
Force‑feeding is a hidden harm in early childhood settings - this piece exposes why it happens, why speaking up is so hard, and why children…
High Teacher Turnover at a Centre of a Large Service Provider where Children are seen only as numbers
High teacher turnover and the Centre owner had the attitude that if parents didn't like how it was managed, they could leave This opinion article…
Service Providers Can Make Complaining Very Unsafe For Families
Unsafe for Parents to Complain when Child Receives Bad Care This opinion article is published as part of our 'Speaking-up' series October 21, 2021. By…
Why Recognising Primary Training as Equivalent Undermines ECE Expertise
David Haynes sounds a clear warning that treating primary teaching qualifications as equivalent to ECE training undermines the specialised expertise that early childhood education relies…
Working for Home-based ECE can be Crap
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…
