Profiles & Interviews
Environmental action at Renwick Kindergarten
Renwick Kindergarten has achieved Green-Gold status in the Enviroschools programme and has a focus on sustainability in all areas.
Forging a more gender equal future
Jamila Rizvi co-editor of Work.Love.Body explains why the child care load should be more fairly distributed in families and more.
How to join the Kindness Collective
Sarah Page from the Kindness Collective explains why kindness counts and how to make a difference.
Introducing New Zealand’s first Te Awhi Rito Reading Ambassador
Meet our first Te Awhi Rito Reading Ambassador, children’s author Ben Brown and how he hopes to inspire and motivate a generation of young readers.
The pizzeria that’s teaching young Kiwis to cook
Martin Barlock from Black Sand Pizzeria and Bistro explains how he started teaching preschoolers to make pizzas and what they gain from the experience.
Interesting research about grandparent care
Associate professor Dr Gretchen Parry explains her research into grandparent care and why care provided from one side of the family is more common.
An interview with author Philip Bunting
Children’s author Philip Bunting explains what inspires and motivates him and what his favourite children’s books are.
Educator in the Spotlight – Rhys Galyer
Rhys Galyer an educator at Secret Garden Childcare explains how he landed in the early education sector and how the environment is the third teacher.
Community spirit in early childhood education
Centre manager of Moa Kids Hayley Strachan explains what makes this community run, not-for-profit centre so special and how the children benefit.
Beekeeping in the early learning environment
ECE Environmental Hero Rae Shurbutt from Bayfield Kindergarten explains how children benefit from having access to bees built into their daily routine.
2 new picture books that challenge gender stereotypes
Children’s book author Susann Hoffmann explains the inspiration her new books for preschoolers which challenge gender stereotypes as well as her favourite books for promoting diversity and inclusion in the early years.
Insights from a male early childhood educator
Meet Dom Bell a male early childhood educator at Learning Adventures Mangeroi in New Plymouth and learn why it’s beneficial for children to have both male and female educators.
A new Reading Ambassador role and expert recommendations for children’s books
In this interview with Kate De Goldi from the Te Puna Foundation learn about NZ’s Reading Ambassador and her top book recommendations for preschoolers.
A spotlight on Plunket’s pregnancy and parenting services
This interview with Plunket discusses a range of services and resources available to children and families and explains why parents should never hesitate to access these services.
What can a nanny offer your family?
In-home carer Betty Ertugrul explains why she loves her job and what nannies can bring to the families who employ them.
How fewer toys leads to higher quality play
Raise Early Years director, Mandy Richardson describes how decluttering your child’s toy box to include a few simple open-ended play objects leads to higher quality and more sustained play.
The far-reaching benefits of kindergarten
NZ Kindergartens CEO Jill Bond describes the many advantages for children and families of kindy settings.
Healthy heart initiatives at early learning services
Home is where the heart is, but when it comes to heart health, child care services play an important role in teaching youngsters how to eat well, stay active and look after their hearts.
Ange Ross - Phoenix Preschool
Meet an Ashburton-based early childhood education service which offers child care and whanau.
An interview with author Matt Cosgrove
Children's book creator Matt Cosgrove talks about how he finds inspiration.
Esther Hathaway - One au pair's outback adventure
Being an au pair is an exciting and enriching move for many young people, allowing overseas visitors to work in a new country and local experiences.
What is it like to be an au pair?
Host families have much to gain by inviting an au pair into their home. It's cost-effective and culturally-enriching, with children benefitting from a care-giver who is more of an older sibling than a babysitter.