Free ECE literature:
Ministry of Education publications www.minedu.govt.nz has an early childhood education section. From here you can visit ECE Lead and ECE Educate, where you can find early childhood education information quickly and easily. Also a section on "Choosing an Early Childhood Education service". Phone: 0800 660 662, or fax 0800 660 663.
Kei Tua o te Pai - Assessment for Learning: Early Childhood Exemplars The exemplars consist of a series of books that will help understand and strengthen children’s learning and show how children, parents and whanau can contribute to assessment and ongoing learning. How to get started on learning stories: www.educate.ece.govt.nz
Te Whariki The national early childhood curriculum, that all chartered early childhood services have been required to follow it since 1998. Principles, strands and goals make up the early childhood curriculum as if woven together like the strands of a woven mat, or whariki. www.educate.ece.govt.nz
TeamUp resources can be ece website.site ordered through the above MOE number or www.teamup.co.nz- e.g. How is My Child Progressing (also in Chinese and Pasifika languages)
Families Learning Together: A Booklet for Non-English-speaking families. English & 8 other languages. Introduction to school system, becoming involved in your child’s learning, and ideas for encouraging children’s maths and literacy competencies in the home. info.esol@minedu.govt.nz 0800 800 675 or fax (09) 632 9456
Education Review Office www.ero.govt.nz Find the media/publications section to see the many booklets and handbooks on their website. Go to the section on Education Evaluation reports to find information for parents giving reliable information on various early childhood services. Titles include: "The Quality of Education and Care in Infant and Toddler Centres", "The Quality of Education and Care in Home-based Early Childhood Services", "The Quality of Education and Care in Kindergartens", and "The Quality of Education and Care in Playcentres" all published in January 2009.
ECE publications:
The Australasian Journal of Early Childhood (AJEC) is Australasia's foremost scholarly journal and the world's longest-running major journal within the early childhood field www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/australian_journal_of_early_childhood
Education Gazette The Education Gazette is published for the Ministry of Education www.edgazette.govt.nz
Providing Culturally Competent Care in Early Childhood Services in NZ. By Lisa Terreni, Early Childhood Development (2002), a series of 4 booklets. Part 1 – Considering Culture – talks about what is culture, how it affects relationships with people (e.g focus on the individual versus the group, or reason versus emotion), and relationships with time and the natural world. Part 3 interviews parents, and highlight refugee/new migrant’s challenges with ECE in a NZ context
Parenting magazine produced by Parents Inc, has parenting advice. You can subscribe here
ECE books:
Children's Bookshop and The Dorothy Butler Children's Bookshop Quality books, toys, games & puzzles, they offer a "special order" service and will search for that special book, and pack and post worldwide. Jervois Road, Ponsonby, Auckland. Ph 09 376 7283 www.childrensbookshop.co.nz
Educational Solutions
A publishing company specialising in Science and Technology transfer—taking science and technology and presenting it in a user-friendly format, primarily focused on the Natural Sciences.
‘Baby Plants’ is a topic pack contains A3 posters, matching cards, activity sheets, (sequencing, tracking, etc), teacher’s guide, poems and more. $37.95 plus p&p.
‘Little Bugs’ is a topic pack exploring common insects that children encounter. Contains A3 posters, activity sheets (seriation, what’s missing, art, etc), teacher’s guide and more. $37.95 plus p&p.
‘Spring’ is a topic pack that explores changes occurring at springtime. Contains A3 posters, activity sheets (matching cards, seriation, letter formation, etc), teacher’s guide, songs and more.
$37.95 plus p&p. email: edsol@xtra.co.nz email: http://www.edsolutions.co.nz/
Growing up a booklet by Rosemary Hargreaves speech-language therapist detailing milestones from 0-7 years, including: play, social skills, sound development, understanding, concept learning, independence, communication, fine & gross motor skills. Encourages parents to understand expectations in development. Cost $12 (incl p&p) email: mharg@xtra.co.nz
Jabberwocky Books: From board and clothbooks to picture books, fiction, non-fiction and audio, we have something to suit all readers. Every month they select the best new titles from all major publishers to complement their range. Website broken into categories if you are looking for titles. 598 Remuera Rd, Remuera. ph 630 6827. http://jabberwocky.circlesoft.net
Playcentre publications & shop locations nationally: www.playcentre.org.nz has many titles such as:
"Dance With Me in Your Heart" ($17) Pennie Brownlee. Making a ‘heart connection’ - slowing down and really connecting with young babies
"Challenges for Children" ($20) by Barbara Jordan. Beginners science book. Explains the scientific principles behind the activities.
"Recipes For Play" (sawdust dough, slime, gloop etc) ($15)
"Getting Started with Schemas" ($50) Schemas support the delivery of Te Whaariki and the development of children’s learning dispositions and working theories.
"Dance Upon a Time" Book & CD on music/dance creativity by Tanya Batt
Scholastic Books: Take advantage of the fabulous benefits of being part of the Scholastic Book Club. Ph: 09 274 8112 www.scholastic.co.nz
Wheelers Books: New Zealand's online book resource for librarians, teachers and families. Shop new/upcoming releases, bestsellers, specials from over 300000 titles. Phone 0800 890 333, fax 0800 890 444. Great warehouse with bargain bins at the back, Triton Plaza, North Shore, Auckland www.wheelers.co.nz
Make your own books: use National Geographic or magazine pictures to make smallish, simple picture books – often with only one or two words per page – e.g. African animals, food/fruit, getting dressed, etc.
'Moving to Learn': Making the connection between movement, music, learning and play. Active movement guide for under-fives produced by SPARC (Sport & Recreation NZ) CD & book by Robyn Crowe & Gill Connell. Gill Connell's contact details: email
Educational resources
Brightway: wooden toys www.brightway.co.nz www.kobbatoys.com
Just Kidding Dressups: wide range www.justkidding.co.nz
Go West Music: instruments for early learners such as: castanets, woodblocks, kazoos, triangles, egg maracas & bells www.gowestmusic.co.nz
Kanikani Kids: fun, contemporary Maori costumes www.kanikani.maori.nz
Kidantics: water-wall, 3D puzzles, pulleys, conveyor belt, www.kidantics.co.nz
Kiwi Puppet Company: NZ books, NZ bird puppets www.kiwipuppet.co.nz
Hatworx: Novelty and fantasy play hats www.hatworx.co.nz
Miracle Toys: NZ puzzles & magnetic stories, science www.miracletoys.co.nz
Pinegrove Puzzles: Eng/Maori/Samoan puzzles: www.pinegrovepuzzles.co.nz
Puzzles for education: NZ made Asian, Maori & Pacific puzzles. (021) 217-0879 Antony: Smits puzzles4education@clear.net.nz or www.puzzles4education.co.nz
Starex: furniture, dressup trolley, light table, etc www.starex.co.nz
The Funkeys: educational music CDs www.thefunkeys.co.nz
The Wooden Wheel: blocks, buggy, diggers www.woodentoysonline.co.nz
Universal Children’s Audio: music & movement CDs virtues www.ucamusic.com
Zora’s Rainbows: colourful wooden puzzles. www.zorasrainbow.com
Parenting and support:
Barnardos Telephone Help Line Freephone: 0800 4 Parent (0800 4727368) has someone to talk to if you are finding it difficult to parent effectively (Freephone between 9am and 5pm weekdays , but you can leave a message and they will get back to you). For Kids Start home based learning programme - 837 5161. West Auckland area office: 837 5061 www.barnardos.org.nz
Brainwave Trust A charitable trust which gives free information and advice on how to maximise a child's brain development in the first three years of life www.brainwave.org.nz
Child support Inland Revenue Child Support administers the child support scheme, which is designed to collect money from parents not living with their children to help financially support them when either a couple who have children split up, or two people have children and aren't living together. The child support scheme operates under the Child Support Act 1991 www.ird.govt.nz/childsupport/background
Dyslexia Parent A USA Dyslexia Parents Resource offering training & magazine with learning teachniques & forum www.dyslexia-parent.com
ECE Correspondence School - Te kura In special circumstances, the Correspondence School provides early childhood education for children under the age of 6. This is provided in cases where children either live in remote areas, are sick or disabled, do not have a settled address or have special needs. www.correspondence.school.nz
Family works Northern (formerly known as James familyTM) in Waitakere is the child and family services division of Presbyterian Support Northern. Ph: 835 1288 http://northern.familyworks.org.nz
Grandparents raising grandchildren Support and advice for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. www.raisinggrandchildren.org.nz
HIPPY - Home Interaction Programme for Parents and Youngsters supports parents in becoming actively involved in their four and five year old children's learning. Parents and children work together for fifteen minutes a day with storybooks, puzzles and learning games that help children become successful learners at school. www.familyservices.govt.nz
Jumping Beans A physical skills programme that offers physical development activity classes for babies, infants, toddlers, preschool children and kids from 6 weeks to 6 years of age. www.jumpingbeans
Kids Are Worth It, by Barbara Coloroso – parenting book.
Men in Early Childhood Education (New Zealand) inc A national network for men in early childhood education. Organise an annual simmit and dad's day out www.ecmenz.org
Multiple Birth Association Supporting families with ‘multiples’, be they twins, triplets, quads or more. www.nzmba.org/
PAFT /Parents as First Teachers is a government initiative which works on the philosophy that parents are their child’s first and most important teachers. The programme provides free, practical support for families. To find out whether there is a PAFT programme in your area, and to ask about joining, phone Sina Umaga on 04 914 2486 or visit www.familyservices.govt.nz
Parent Inc We're a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to making life better for parents and their kids. We offer a wide range of programmes to encourage and support parents. Ph: 0800 53 56 59 www.parentsinc.org.nz
Parentline provides counselling and support for abused children and their families. They can help reduce the pressure; prevention is better than cure. www.parentline.org.nz
Parent to Parent empowers parents, caregivers and whanau who have children and family members with disabilities, health impairments aor special neds through support and teh provision of information. www.parent2parent.org.nz
Parents Inc. (formerly Parenting with Confidence) - is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to making life better for parents and their kids. They offer a wide range of programmes to encourage and support parents, resources for families, and 'Attitude' programmes for young people. Publish the quarterly Parenting magazine . www.parentsinc.org.nz
Playcentre A parent co-operative which provides parent education modules on all aspects of children's learning. They publish a range of publications and have shops with teaching aids. www.playcentre.org.nz
Single Parent's Trust Self help group for mums, dads and children: http://singleparents.org.nz/
S.K.I.P. Strategies with Kids, Information for Parents. Nine pamphlets have been developed for parents of under fives. They can be read online at: www.familyservices.govt.nz/info-for-families/skip/
S.P.A.C.E. The SPACE programme is for first time parents with newborn babies. Sessions run weekly for 3-4 terms extending through the first year of the child's life. Pay by small donation. www.space.org.nz
Team Up: helping our kids learn for parents, families an whanau, ministry of education website with free e-newsletters and booklets. visit: teamup
Teenage Parent Service Co-ordinators The Teenage Parent Service Co-ordinators provide teenage parents with better access to the support services they need for themselves and their young children. Call 04 978 4258 or visit: www.familyservices.go
Triple P (Positive Parenting Program): an international parenting and family support strategy that aims to prevent severe behavioural, emotional and developmental problems in children by enhancing the knowledge, skills and confidence of parents. There is a Triple P Centre in Ellerslie which offers individual therapy as well as the acclaimed Triple P - Positive Parenting Program. www.triplepcentre.net.nz
West Auckland Parents Centre is a volunteer organisation run by parents for parents offering childbirth education (antenatal courses), parent support and parent education. Part of Parents Centres nationwide organisation which produces the Kiwiparent Magazine www.westaucklandparents.org.nz and www.parentscentre.org.nz
Waitakere community houses
Most community houses offer classes for new mothers. These groups give the mother support to become great parents. The Waitakere Young Mothers' group attends clases regularily to do activities with their children. They are funded by Barnados and have very good facilitators.
Glen Eden Community House www.glenedencommunityhouse.co.nz
Green Bay Community House www.ourwaitakere.co.nz/greenbay
Massey Community House www.masseycommunityhouse.co.nz
Ranui Community House www.ranuicommunityhouse.co.nz
Sturges West Community House www.sturgeswestcommunityhouse.co.nz
Te Atatu Community House www.teatatupeninsulacommunityhouse.co.nz
Titirangi Community House www.titirangihouse.co.nz
Working for Families Tax Credits You can receive Working for Families Tax Credits payments for each "dependent child". Dependent children are all children in your care who are either 18 years or younger, and financially dependent. This means children you support financially who don't work more than 30 hours a week, or receive a student allowance, a benefit or other government assistance. Payment will depend on your family income. www.ird.govt.nz/wff-tax-credits/
ITC
Manaia Kindergarten Blockspot: http://manaiakindergarten.blogspot.com/
NetSafe Cybersafety Training for ECE www.netsafe.org.nz
Cybersafety Case Studies: MOE- code:108973 www.thechair.minedu.govt.nz
Roskill South Centre of Innovation http://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/publications/ece/22551/22563
‘Comic life’ computer programme: free download,use for learning stories www.ehow.com
Globo Enterprises: cameras & ICT support for ECE/schools www.globo.co.nz
Book No 12, Kei Tua o te Pae/Exemplars on ICT www.educate.ece.govt.nz
Videos about admin, Reggio, planning, literacy, etc. www.teachers.tv
Interesting blog site www.childhood101.blogspot.com
Learning ideas and other resources:
Auckland University - Education Centres: resources and PD www.edcentres.auckland.ac.nz
Creative Toys: wooden -from Germany & Switzerland www.creativetoys.co.nz
Hart Sport: wide range of physical play resources: www.hartsport.co.nz
Dominion Handle and Dowel, 11 Forge St, Silverdale, Auckland; (09) 426-6672 - $2 bags of dowelling offcuts (tawa, pine, etc), & untreated sawdust
Animated Soundz: puppets, music, performances www.animatedsoundz.co.nz
The Wooden Toy Box: Brightways + others: www.yellowpepper.co.nz
Virtues Guide, Virtues Project & Virtues Cards: www.ucamusic.com
Learning and Teaching Scotland The Pre-school section gives resources www.ltscotland.org.uk
Early years resources A UK site which has great ideas to use and has a special section on the early years www.teachingideas.co.uk
Child Development Institute USA site www.childdevelopmentinfo.com
Transition to school:
NZ Government site Has a review on: 'Transition from Early Childhood Education to School', analysing research literature about the issue www.educationcounts.govt.nz
ECE professional development providers:
Educational Leadership Project Wendy Lee and other contract facilitators run Inspiration Days and our Big Day Out Series nation wide. www.elp.co.nz
Kohia Education Centre Wendy Lee and other contract facilitators run Inspiration Days and our Big Day Out Series nation wide. www.elp.co.nz
LearnFast has expert speakers operating in the education, speech pathology, psychology, tuition, and learning difficulties arenas. www.fastforword.com.au
