Kindergarten

Covid-19 202015 Sep 2020

Why now is a good time to rethink the purpose of ECE

Professor Linda Mitchell and her colleagues surveyed 156 managers from Early Childhood Education (ECE) providers on the initial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The report explores challenges concerning the sustainability of ECE services and raises critical questions regarding funding and planning. It suggests now is a good time to rethink the purpose of ECE, to redefine ECE as a public good, and to plan, fund and support it accordingly.

Covid-19 202029 May 2020

Counting the friendly frogs: welcoming children back to early learning centres

Parents experienced a mix of emotions when their children returned to schools and centres at the end of Alert Level 3. There was relief at the resumption of some sort of normality, but there was also anxiety. For the parents of young children in particular, there was concern about how tamariki would re-transition into early childhood education.

Two kindergartens share their stories of transition with AKO.

Covid-19 20206 Apr 2020

Q&A with Stephanie Smith of Healthkids Kindergarten

Located in the grounds of Nelson Hospital, Healthkids Kindergarten has many families that are essential workers. AKO talked to head teacher Stephanie Smith about how the kindergarten has been supporting families during the lockdown.

Summer 20205 Feb 2020

Talking the talk

Oral language learning in early childhood is critical to success in later life. But how well do we do it in New Zealand?

Winter 201925 Jul 2019

Building bridges: from community to ECE to primary

The importance of whānau and community doesn’t lessen just because a child starts school, but it can be hard for educators to maintain these strong connections once a child leaves early childhood education. Jane Blaikie and Jane Arthur talk to educators across the country about the challenges they face when trying to build bridges between the child and their community.

Summer 201928 Jan 2019

Seeing the difference

Inclusivity in ECE is increasingly seen as an opportunity to improve teaching practices and engage children’s learning.