http://www.ecc.org.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.ecc.org.nz en-us Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:01:37 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.ecc.org.nz/blog/post/165560/budget-2026-government-makes-good-on-education-promises-with-new-investment-into-ece/ The Early Childhood Council (ECC) has welcomed the Government’s 1.5 percent cost adjustment for early childhood education in Budget 2026 – but has warned tough times remain ahead for the ECE sector.“The ECC campaigned hard on a 5 percent increase in funding for ECE in this year’s Budget. While it’s not near the amount required to keep the sector sustainable, we welcome this year’s cost adjustment,” says ECC CEO, Simon Laube.“Government funding has not kept pace with inflation, dr... Thu, 28 May 2026 14:31:09 +1200 http://www.ecc.org.nz/blog/#post165560 http://www.ecc.org.nz/blog/post/165415/how-work-based-learning-can-support-early-learning-services/ Amid the plate-spinning of running an early learning service, workplace training can be the first thing to drop off the list. For centre owners and managers balancing staffing, compliance, whānau communication and the daily needs of tamariki, professional development needs to be practical.Work-based learning, also known as on-the-job training, can offer a practical option. It allows people to build skills while continuing in their usual role, with learning connected to the tasks and responsibil... Tue, 26 May 2026 09:04:35 +1200 http://www.ecc.org.nz/blog/#post165415 http://www.ecc.org.nz/blog/post/165413/we-can-keep-safe-a-proven-personal-safety-programme-for-early-learning/ Early learning services play a vital role in supporting the health, wellbeing, and safety of young children during their most formative years. Tamariki aged 3–5 are naturally trusting and dependent on adults to keep them safe. While this is developmentally appropriate, it can also increase vulnerability. Many parents and kaiako want to teach children personal safety skills but feel unsure how to do this in an age-appropriate, calm, and empowering way.We Can Keep Safe was developed to meet this... Tue, 26 May 2026 07:57:05 +1200 http://www.ecc.org.nz/blog/#post165413 http://www.ecc.org.nz/blog/post/165392/where-to-find-nz-video-stories-and-songs-to-engage-children/ A new resource for early childhood teachers, caregivers and whānau is providing a safe space online for pre-schoolers to engage with a range of stories and songs made in Aotearoa. KIDOGO Junior is the creation of NZ On Air, who wanted to bring tamariki shows into one easy-to-discover place on YouTube.On KIDOGO Junior you can find great shows such as Toi Time, Kiri and Lou, Bigsies and Littles and Buzz’s Epic Little Missions, along with songs to get tamariki learning and moving from many well-... Mon, 25 May 2026 15:17:04 +1200 http://www.ecc.org.nz/blog/#post165392 http://www.ecc.org.nz/blog/post/163520/five-ways-to-keep-your-centre-healthier-this-winter/ It’s every centre manager’s nightmare: another outbreak of illness.Sickness in early childhood education settings is incredibly common and the reasons are obvious: Young children have developing immune systems, and they spend long hours together in enclosed spaces. Add nappy changing, shared toys, hands touching faces, mouths and everything else, and you have the perfect breeding ground for bugs to spread quickly.But the impact goes beyond the unwell child. When children are sick, parents st... Tue, 05 May 2026 09:00:00 +1200 http://www.ecc.org.nz/blog/#post163520 http://www.ecc.org.nz/blog/post/163718/the-power-of-supportive-storytelling-in-ece/ Tamariki nod, recalling the physical effort, the slips, and the eventual triumph of making it across. What once felt impossible slowly became manageable, not because the equipment had changed, but because the tamariki had grown in their own confidence and capability.In early childhood settings, children face moments that feel just as significant, whether tackling a tricky puzzle or finding the courage to contribute in a group. Through the intentional support of a trusted kaiako, tamariki le... Tue, 05 May 2026 09:00:00 +1200 http://www.ecc.org.nz/blog/#post163718 http://www.ecc.org.nz/blog/post/163225/why-eces-need-to-take-cyber-risks-seriously/ Digital tools now play a crucial role in the day to day running of early childhood centres. Enrolment systems, payroll, attendance tracking, parent communication apps, and stored records all rely on technology to keep things moving. But as this reliance grows, so does the exposure to cyber risk. Cybercriminals don’t target only large organisations, they look for vulnerabilities, and any ECE centre with internet connected devices can be affected. A c... Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:49:59 +1200 http://www.ecc.org.nz/blog/#post163225 http://www.ecc.org.nz/blog/post/163213/learning-through-visual-art-sketching-chicks/ Take a blank sheet of paper and try drawing something. For many adults, it’s unexpectedly nerve-wracking. What do you draw? Where do you start? Overthinking quickly takes over. A blank page offers the opportunity of decision making; it is possibility waiting for direction. Visual arts give children a safe place to practice that cho... Wed, 08 Apr 2026 14:05:49 +1200 http://www.ecc.org.nz/blog/#post163213 http://www.ecc.org.nz/blog/post/161170/5-percent-to-secure-our-childrens-future/ Simon Laube, ECC CEO, says Government funding for the sector has not been keeping up with inflation. Since 2019, this has equated to a drop in funding by more than 11 percent in real terms. Growing centre budget shortfalls are putting the futures of our youngest tamariki severely at risk. “Quality early childhood education is one of the best things we can give our young people. It sets them up for success – not just as they embark on their education journeys, but for the rest of their l... Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.ecc.org.nz/blog/#post161170 http://www.ecc.org.nz/blog/post/160786/supporting-blind-low-vision-children-in-ece/ In New Zealand there are many blind low vision children who experience difficulty transitioning into and out of ECEs. There is also lack of training or professional development for teachers in relation to managing such children. This leads to a poor start to their education and often flows through to primary school and beyond.... Mon, 02 Mar 2026 17:00:00 +1300 http://www.ecc.org.nz/blog/#post160786