This story uncovers how a chemical‑burn incident at a Kindercare centre was not just a one‑off mistake but the result of systemic failures in safety, oversight, and regulation. See how both WorkSafe and the Ministry of Education allowed these risks to go unchecked, and what it means for children’s safety in ECE.
The ECE funding review proposals shift money toward large commercial daycare, cuts pay parity, reshapes equity funding, and overlooks quality, affordability, and small service sustainability.
The Auditor‑General has confirmed what the Office of Early Childhood Education (OECE) uncovered last year: the Government’s Free Food in Early Childhood Education Programme was built on a flawed contracting process that left only one organisation, KidsCan, in a position to receive the $8 million grant.
The ECE Parent Survey gives every licensed service (centres, home‑based, and hospital‑based) a simple, confidential way to understand what families truly think. Because it’s research‑based, easy to use, and free for many services, it’s an invaluable tool for strengthening quality, meeting consultation requirements, and building strong partnerships with parents and whānau.
Don’t be fooled into saying or using “early learning” to describe early childhood services or our sector. This article explains why early childhood education is a broader and more meaningful concept. If you want to understand the real difference between the two terms – and why it matters for children, parents and teachers – this is an essential read.
The childcare subsidy helps families with the cost of early childhood education and is paid directly to the ECE service.
Active supervision is the single most effective way to prevent harm – this article shows teachers, services, and regulators the essential skills needed to keep children truly safe, not just watched.
Parents and caregivers of tamariki in ECE made 80 complaints to the Ministry of Education through the confidential online service on the MyECE website last year.
MyECE is the official website of the ECE Parents’ Council. The council is a volunteer-run, grassroots organisation that
The article explores how no‑touch policies in ECE emerged and why they continue to shape teacher behaviour, raising important questions about what kinds of touch are appropriate, safe, and developmentally necessary for young children. It’s a thought‑provoking read on how fear and policy can influence caring relationships at the heart of ECE.
This review cuts through political spin to reveal what the strongest evidence actually shows about the effects of ECE. Learn the real benefits and risks of ECE – not the claims, assumptions, or slogans.
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.
The Ministry of Education shapes how early childhood services operate through its funding decisions, policy advice, and sector management. Understanding its influence helps parents, educators, and taxpayers see how power is exercised and why public accountability in ECE stewardship matters.
The Education Review Office (ERO) is the government agency that evaluates how well early childhood services and schools educate and care for children. It also publishes national reports on what’s happening across the education system.
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