The joyful life of Learning Stories: Tauranga
2024-08-21 18:30 - 20:30 (Pacific/Auckland) | ONLINE EVENT, New Zealand
The joyful life of Learning StoriesWendy LeeWednesday 21 August, 6:30-8:30pm
THIS WORKSHOP HAS NOW MOVED ONLINE
Mā te ahurei o te tamaiti e ārahi i ā tātou mahiLet the uniqueness of the child guide our work.Get ready to ignite your passion because here’s the rallying cry: Let’s bring back the sheer joy into documenting children’s learning! It’s time to kick aside those pressures that have been sucking the vibrancy out of our working lives. We’re embarking on something truly meaningful here, something that resonates deeply – making a real difference in the learning journeys of these young and curious minds. This is all about building their unique learner identities, setting them on a path to lifelong discovery.And guess what? This isn’t a call to let documentation take over your life; it’s a call for strategic brilliance. Let’s embrace the idea that ‘less is more’. Write fewer stories, but oh my, make every single one count. Also, if your documentation isn’t used every day, it might be time to let it go. Let’s ensure that what we create is a joy for the tamariki, their whānau, and us, the passionate kaiako. And remember, it’s a privilege to capture these Learning Stories of tamariki learning lives.
Get ready for an exciting exploration of key ideas and elements that make up short, powerful Learning Stories. Not only will they be an absolute delight to write, but they’ll also meet a multitude of demands in your daily work. So, are you ready to infuse your documentation with pure joy and purpose? Let’s dive in!

PLEASE NOTE, THIS WORKSHOP HAS NOW MOVED ONLINE
Click here to go back to the full series

Please read our Terms and Conditions before purchasing.

Te Whāriki in Action: Using Learning Stories as evidence for your Internal Evaluation: Online
2024-09-11 18:30 - 20:30 | ONLINE EVENT, New Zealand
UNFORTUNATELY THIS EVENT IS FULL, HOWEVER WE STILL HAVE SPACE ON 25 SEPTEMBER: CLICK TO BOOK

Roberta SkeochOnline on Zoom Wednesday 11 September 20246:30-8:30pm
Te Whāriki in Action:Using Learning Stories for Internal Evaluation and Professional Growth
He iti, he iti mānukaThough little, it is a mānuka tree
This particular whakatauki relates to the mānuka/ kahikātoa tree. Though small in size, mānuka has a staggering amount of uses, from food to rongoā, as well as all manner of tools and artefacts. Like the mānuka tree, wonderfully written Learning Stories can also serve a number of purposes from assessment to evidence of Te Whāriki in action, Internal Evaluation and teacher inquiry. This workshop will focus on using Learning Stories as evidence for the Standards of the Teaching Profession for teacher certification purposes.
Kaiako who engage in our process have left with a kete of tools and strategies to unburden themselves of meaningless paperwork. They are left inspired to create a measurable, meaningful, and motivated professional growth pathway for themselves and their team!
Scroll to the bottom of this page to register.
Please note: this event will not be recorded however we do have other dates available. Get in touch to find out more admin@elp.co.nz

Sometimes a 2 hour workshop isn’t enough! Deepen your learning and unlock even greater results by booking a personalised follow-up workshop with Roberta. Whether you prefer a 1:1 session, or an experience your whole team can be part of, we’ve got you covered! Enjoy an exclusive offer of just $125 for a one-hour Zoom session, only available to participants of this wānanga.
No hurry, you can decide after the event.

Request a private follow-up

Also, available for purchase is our hardcopy handbook – be part of a growing movement of early learning excellence! Our Internal Evaluation handbook is a proven tool that has already supported hundreds of settings across Aotearoa New Zealand. To invest in your team’s Professional Growth, all those registered for this event will receive a 10% discount!

Email to find out more

Strengthening local curriculum in early childhood settings for our pēpi
2024-09-11 19:00 - 20:30 | ONLINE EVENT, New Zealand
Strengthening local curriculum in early childhood settings for our pēpiDiana Cruse, University of Waikato
Wednesday 11 September, 7-8:30pm
Our pēpi thrive when they are in environments that nurture their wairua. Having a localised curriculum, that builds upon the strengths of whānau, hapū, and iwi is one way to implement this.
Building upon research from a 3 year Marsden research project and my PhD, this kōrero will explore ideas for early learning settings to create and strengthen relationships with whānau, hapū, and iwi, and unpack some of the benefits that this can have for our pēpi, whānau and communities.
As a previous centre owner and manager, an early childhood kaiako, and an iwi early childhood education advisor, I will look at this through various lens of governance, management and practice. I will also make links to our Professional Growth Cycle, Internal evaluation and Assessment practices, to assist our amazing early learning kaiako in their own teaching practices.
Mauri ora!

View the other events in this series

Te Whāriki in Action: Using Learning Stories as evidence for your Internal Evaluation: Online
2024-09-18 18:30 - 20:30 | ONLINE EVENT, New Zealand
UNFORTUNATELY THIS EVENT IS FULL, HOWEVER WE STILL HAVE SPACE ON 25 SEPTEMBER: CLICK TO BOOK

Roberta SkeochOnline on Zoom Wednesday 18 September 20246:30-8:30pm
Te Whāriki in Action:Using Learning Stories as evidence for Internal Evaluation and Professional Growth
He iti, he iti mānukaThough little, it is a mānuka tree
This particular whakatauki relates to the mānuka/ kahikātoa tree. Though small in size, mānuka has a staggering amount of uses, from food to rongoā, as well as all manner of tools and artefacts. Like the mānuka tree, wonderfully written Learning Stories can also serve a number of purposes from assessment to evidence of Te Whāriki in action, Internal Evaluation and teacher inquiry. This workshop will focus on using Learning Stories as evidence for the Standards of the Teaching Profession for teacher certification purposes.
Kaiako who engage in our process have left with a kete of tools and strategies to unburden themselves of meaningless paperwork. They are left inspired to create a measurable, meaningful, and motivated professional growth pathway for themselves and their team!
Scroll to the bottom of this page to register.
Please note: this event will not be recorded however we do have other dates available. Get in touch to find out more admin@elp.co.nz

Sometimes a 2 hour workshop isn’t enough! Deepen your learning and unlock even greater results by booking a personalised follow-up workshop with Roberta. Whether you prefer a 1:1 session, or an experience your whole team can be part of, we’ve got you covered! Enjoy an exclusive offer of just $125 for a one-hour Zoom session, only available to participants of this wānanga.
No hurry, you can decide after the event.

Request a private follow-up

Also, available for purchase is our hardcopy handbook – be part of a growing movement of early learning excellence! Our Internal Evaluation handbook is a proven tool that has already supported hundreds of settings across Aotearoa New Zealand. To invest in your team’s Professional Growth, all those registered for this event will receive a 10% discount!

Email to find out more

UNFORTUNATELY THIS EVENT IS FULL, HOWEVER WE STILL HAVE SPACE ON 25 SEPTEMBER: CLICK TO BOOK

Te Whāriki in Action: Using Learning Stories as evidence for your Internal Evaluation: Online
2024-09-25 18:30 - 20:30 | ONLINE EVENT, New Zealand
Roberta SkeochOnline on Zoom Wednesday 25 September 20246:30-8:30pm
Te Whāriki in Action:Using Learning Stories as evidence for Internal Evaluation and Professional Growth
He iti, he iti mānukaThough little, it is a mānuka tree
This particular whakatauki relates to the mānuka/ kahikātoa tree. Though small in size, mānuka has a staggering amount of uses, from food to rongoā, as well as all manner of tools and artefacts. Like the mānuka tree, wonderfully written Learning Stories can also serve a number of purposes from assessment to evidence of Te Whāriki in action, Internal Evaluation and teacher inquiry. This workshop will focus on using Learning Stories as evidence for the Standards of the Teaching Profession for teacher certification purposes.
Kaiako who engage in our process have left with a kete of tools and strategies to unburden themselves of meaningless paperwork. They are left inspired to create a measurable, meaningful, and motivated professional growth pathway for themselves and their team!
Scroll to the bottom of this page to register.
Please note: this event will not be recorded however we do have other dates available. Get in touch to find out more admin@elp.co.nz

Sometimes a 2 hour workshop isn’t enough! Deepen your learning and unlock even greater results by booking a personalised follow-up workshop with Roberta. Whether you prefer a 1:1 session, or an experience your whole team can be part of, we’ve got you covered! Enjoy an exclusive offer of just $125 for a one-hour Zoom session, only available to participants of this wānanga.
No hurry, you can decide after the event.

Request a private follow-up

Also, available for purchase is our hardcopy handbook – be part of a growing movement of early learning excellence! Our Internal Evaluation handbook is a proven tool that has already supported hundreds of settings across Aotearoa New Zealand. To invest in your team’s Professional Growth, all those registered for this event will receive a 10% discount!

Email to find out more

Please read our Terms and Conditions before purchasing.

Slow Knowledge and the Unhurried Child (Auckland)
2024-10-10 17:00 - 20:00 | Little Feet Childcare, 26 Yates Road, Mangere East, Auckland, 2024, New Zealand
Thursday 10 October, 5:00pm-8:00pm
26 Yates Road, Mangere East, Auckland
With Professor Alison Clark and Jacqui Lees

Download a flyer to print and share!

Award-winning author, Alison Clark is Professor of Early Childhood Education at the University of South-Eastern Norway and Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Education, University College London, UK. She will be visiting Aotearoa New Zealand for a short time in October, don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity !

Join Alison and Jacqui for the opportunity to explore ideas about a Slow pedagogy and how this relates to deepening children’s connections to place over time.
Slow knowledge and the unhurried childSession One, with Alison Clark will introduce key themes from her two year study: ‘Slow knowledge and the unhurried child’ that explored the relationship with time in ECEC and draws attention to the importance of slow practices. What might a timeful early childhood setting look like? How does this relate to a pedagogy of listening and what is the particular contribution that connections to place bring to thinking about ‘slow’?
Deepening connections with people and placeIn Session Two, Jacqui Lees will present her Teaching and Learning Research Initiative (TLRI) research project, looking at how early childhood centres support children to experience and learn about their local area, its stories, and cultural meanings. The presentation will look at how the teaching team from Pakuranga Baptist Kindergarten used the pedagogy of listening and an unhurried approach to learning to support children to deepen their understandings about a Taniwha that is part of their local Tainui stories.

Slow knowledge and the unhurried child (Waikato)
2024-10-15 09:00 - 15:00 | Don Rowland Event Centre, 601 Maungatautari Road, Karapiro, Waikato, 3494, New Zealand
Tuesday 15 October, 9:00am-3:00pm
Don Rowlands Event Centre, Karapiro, Waikato
With Professor Alison Clark and Emma Parangi

Download a flyer to print and share!

Award-winning author, Alison Clark is Professor of Early Childhood Education at the University of South-Eastern Norway and Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Education, University College London, UK. She will be visiting Aotearoa New Zealand for a short time in October, don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity !

Join Professor Alison Clark and Emma Parangi for the opportunity to explore ideas about a Slow pedagogy in ECE. These workshops will raise questions about whose knowledge is valued and how this relates to making explicit the relationship with time and engaging with children’s past, present and future.
In the morning Alison Clark will introduce key themes from her two year study: ‘Slow knowledge and the unhurried child’ that explored the relationship with time in ECEC and draws attention to the importance of slow practices. The discussion will explore how slow knowledge can be celebrated in day to day practice, balanced against the pressures of short term demands. How does the valuing of slow knowledge relate to how children’s past, present and future are viewed?
In the afternoon Emma Parangi will facilitate wānanga centring ao Māori perspectives of these kaupapa. We will examine Māori concepts of time, space and relationality, and how this might inform our work as kaiako. Tamariki are a continuation of their whakapapa which extends back to the beginnings of space and time themselves. We will unpack these ideas through reflective questions and wānanga around the intersections of slow knowledge and integrating tikanga Māori (cultural practices).
Including a delicious morning tea and lunch!

Whakapapa – foundation, process, and potential
2024-10-16 18:30 - 20:30 | ONLINE EVENT, New Zealand
Whakapapa – foundation, process, and potentialEmma ParangiWednesday 16 October, 6:30-8:30pmThis will now be held online. All registered will receive a link to the recording.Learning Stories provide a snapshot of where a tamaiti is in their learning, their connections, and their trajectory. Learning Stories weave together the moving strands of where that tamaiti is in space and time. When we craft Learning Stories we aim to be guided by an authentic knowledge of who tamariki are. For Tangata Whenua, tamariki are a continuation of whakapapa which extends back to the beginnings of space and time themselves. This is a complex concept embedded in a Māori worldview of time, space and relationality. Join Emma in this wānanga to explore whakapapa as the source, journey and possibility of āhurei for the tamariki Māori we learn alongside.

Please read our Terms and Conditions before purchasing.

This has moved to an ONLINE event. All those registered will receive access to the recording for 7 days.

A.I: Friend or Foe? Exploring the use of AI in ECE
2024-11-13 19:00 - 20:30 | ONLINE EVENT, New Zealand
A.I: Friend or Foe? Exploring the useof AI in ECERoberta Skeoch, Educational Leadership Project
Wednesday 13 November, 7-8:30pm
Te Tahuhu o te Matauranga (The Ministry of Education) says that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is likely to have an increasing impact on education systems over the coming years. (Education Gazette, May 2023) Like any new technology, it is full of both possibility and uncertainty.Join us in this wananga as we delve into the intriguing potential of AI in ECE and begin examining potential benefits while recognising ethical considerations and inherent risks to help kaiako begin to develop some guidelines for using AI in their mahi.

Te Whāriki in Action: Using Learning Stories as evidence for your Internal Evaluation: Online
2024-11-21 18:30 - 20:30 | ONLINE EVENT, New Zealand
Roberta SkeochOnline on Zoom Thursday 21 November 20246:30-8:30pm
Te Whāriki in Action:Using Learning Stories as evidence for Internal Evaluation and Professional Growth
He iti, he iti mānukaThough little, it is a mānuka tree
This particular whakatauki relates to the mānuka/ kahikātoa tree. Though small in size, mānuka has a staggering amount of uses, from food to rongoā, as well as all manner of tools and artefacts. Like the mānuka tree, wonderfully written Learning Stories can also serve a number of purposes from assessment to evidence of Te Whāriki in action, Internal Evaluation and teacher inquiry. This workshop will focus on using Learning Stories as evidence for the Standards of the Teaching Profession for teacher certification purposes.
Kaiako who engage in our process have left with a kete of tools and strategies to unburden themselves of meaningless paperwork. They are left inspired to create a measurable, meaningful, and motivated professional growth pathway for themselves and their team!
Scroll to the bottom of this page to register.
Please note: this event will not be recorded however we do have other dates available. Get in touch to find out more admin@elp.co.nz

Sometimes a 2 hour workshop isn’t enough! Deepen your learning and unlock even greater results by booking a personalised follow-up workshop with Roberta. Whether you prefer a 1:1 session, or an experience your whole team can be part of, we’ve got you covered! Enjoy an exclusive offer of just $125 for a one-hour Zoom session, only available to participants of this wānanga.
No hurry, you can decide after the event.

Request a private follow-up

Also, available for purchase is our hardcopy handbook – be part of a growing movement of early learning excellence! Our Internal Evaluation handbook is a proven tool that has already supported hundreds of settings across Aotearoa New Zealand. To invest in your team’s Professional Growth, all those registered for this event will receive a 10% discount!

Email to find out more

Please read our Terms and Conditions before purchasing.

Ko te kai a te Rangatira, he kōrero – the food of the chiefs is dialogue
2024-12-04 19:00 - 20:30 | ONLINE EVENT, New Zealand
Ko te kai a te Rangatira, he kōrero – the food of the chiefs is dialogueMaria Sydney, Educational Leadership Project
Wednesday 4 December, 7:00-8:30pm
We all know how important, vital really, it is to build and sustain respectful, reciprocal relationships with whanau in our hapori. We all know how important it is to value parent/ whānau voice in our curriculum. But, how do we make this happen when for example, our whānau aren’t really contributing on Story Park? How do we make this happen when our we are having our whānau aspirations or parent voice forms left empty? On reflecting on the whakatauki “Ko te kai ā te Rangatira, he kōrero – the food of the chiefs is dialogue” I think some of the solutions we seek are hidden in these kupu. Join us in a waananga that will aim to explore strategies that will help build and sustain whānau engagement and participation in your spaces. Mauri ora!

Ngā ara ako mō ngā ākonga whaikaha - Learning pathways for learners with special rights
2025-05-14 18:30 - 20:00 | ONLINE EVENT, New Zealand
Ngā ara ako mō ngā ākonga whaikaha – Learning pathways for learners with special rightsEmma ParangiWednesday 14 May, 6:30-8:00pmThis wānanga is an invitation to explore a Māori lens on neurodiversity and disability. The ingoa Māori (Māori names) for some of these ways of being are potential portals into a different perspective on how we can support all ākonga in their transitions within our care, and onto their next learning experiences.

EXPLORE THE OTHER WORKSHOPS AS PART OF THIS SERIES

Please read our Terms and Conditions before purchasing.

Living Te Tiriti: Bicultural Practice in Early Childhood Settings (full series)
2025-05-14 18:30 - 2025-11-12 20:00 | ONLINE EVENT, New Zealand
Discover insights from 6 inspirational speakers from across the sector, who consistently place Te Tiriti o Waitangi at the heart of their practice.

Click here to download a flyer

Click to book just this workshop $45.00

Ngā ara ako mō ngā ākonga whaikaha – Learning pathways for learners with special rightsEmma Parangi, Educational Leadership ProjectWednesday 14 May, 6:30-8:00pmThis wānanga is an invitation to explore a Māori lens on neurodiversity and disability. The ingoa Māori (Māori names) for some of these ways of being are potential portals into a different perspective on how we can support all ākonga in their transitions within our care, and onto their next learning experiences.

Click to book just this workshop $45.00

Toitū Te WhārikiLynette TamarapaTumuaki, Te Kōhanga Reo o Mana TamarikiWednesday 11 June, 6:30-8:00pm
In a time where the Early Childhood education sector is being challenged by government regulation changes Toitū Te Whāriki is more relevant than ever. Te Whāriki MUST include Te Tiriti references, join me in the conversation about how engagement with Māori as Mana Whenua benefits all cultures in an early learning environment, the wider community and beyond.Understanding that through waiata (song), pūrakau (stories) and engagement with mana whenua (local peoples) Te Whāriki becomes a living and breathing bicultural curriculum document.Let’s choose what’s best for our education sector- Toitū Te Whāriki!

Click to book just this workshop $45.00

Te Whakapakari i te Tūāpapa – Strengthening the FoundationLeanne ClaytonPouarahi ā-rohe, Te Rūnanga Nui o ngā KKM o AotearoaWednesday 13 August, 6:30-8:00pm
In this powerful and timely online wānanga, we gather to reflect deeply on the foundations of our practice in early childhood education. Te Whāriki offers us a whāriki manaaki, a nurturing mat woven with purpose and care, for our tamariki to grow, flourish, and take flight. But for this sacred weaving to be strong, the tūāpapa beneath it must be steady, intentional, and resilient.
Te Whakapakari i te Tūāpapa invites kaiako, leaders, and learning communities across the motu to pause, wānanga, and ask:· What is the state of our foundation now, post-Covid?· Where is it strong? Where might it need healing, re-strengthening, or even courageous re-structuring?· How do we return to the heart of our kaupapa with renewed clarity and purpose?
Together we will explore how the strands of Mana Atua, Mana Whenua, Mana Reo, Mana Tangata, and Mana Aotūroa, when truly grounded in ngā hononga, whānau tangata, kotahitanga, and whakamana, create not only a strong foundation, but a launchpad. From this base, tamariki can soar (kia rere arorangi te tamaiti), confident, competent, and standing tall in the world as rangatira in their own right.
This is a space for honest reflection, reconnection, and recommitment. Whether your foundation is in need of strengthening, mending, or re-imagining, this workshop will offer inspiration, insight, and collective wisdom to support you on the journey.

Click to book just this workshop $45.00

Te Ōhāki – Our TaongaRoskill South Kindergarten teaching teamWednesday 10 September, 6:30-8:00pmThis workshop will explore our journey to create a taonga that celebrates the people, places, and things valued and cherished by our kindergarten whānau, past and present.Our vision to create a Pou was a collaborative project involving tamariki, whānau, kaiako, the community, and local iwi. It has captured the stories, wairua, and aroha from the past 50 years of our kindergarten whānau and celebrates the uniqueness of our place.Te Ao Māori was the kaupapa that guided this process, and our links with our local maunga and iwi were strengthened. Storytelling was key to the creation of our taonga, and this process strengthened community engagement, brought cultures together, and produced an artefact that fosters a sense of belonging and enhances the mana of the past, present, and future community. We will share Learning Stories, Whānau Stories and Collaborative Community Stories to share our magical journey to create our Pou – Te Ōhāki.

Click to book just this workshop $45.00

Weaving Stories of Place, Identity and BelongingRoberta SkeochWednesday 8 October, 6:30-8:00pmThis kōrero explores how early childhood kaiako use indigenous knowledge and traditional stories to foster a sense of identity, belonging, and inclusion for mokopuna, in diverse learning environments. Grounded in Sociocultural Theory, Māori theories of learning, and narrative assessment, the session highlights research findings showing how Māori stories enrich the curriculum, strengthen cultural identity, and enhance engagement—especially for Māori learners. Through discussion and reflection, participants will consider how culturally responsive teaching practices can support all children to connect with their place, language, and heritage.

Click to book just this workshop $45.00

He Haerenga Mātauranga: Embracing Our Journey in Te Reo Māori and Te WhārikiBridget ChapmanHead Teacher, Northland Kindergarten AssociationWednesday 12 November, 6:30-8:00pmTe Whāriki is grounded in a bicultural framework that honours the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This kōrero invites kaiako to reflect on our shared haerenga ako, our journey as learners and advocates of te reo Māori within the early childhood education context. Te Whāriki emphasises the importance of importance of identity, language, and culture, affirming the unique heritage each mokopuna brings to their learning environment. As we walk this path together, we acknowledge the wero (challenges) and embrace the opportunities that come with integrating te reo Māori into our everyday practice.
Our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi calls us to foster hononga (partnerships) that respect and uplift ngā tirohanga Māori (Māori perspectives), ensuring that te reo Māori and tikanga Māori are authentically and meaningfully woven into the fabric of our ako settings. By embracing a humble and aroha-based approach, we create inclusive, responsive environments where all tamariki feel seen, valued, and empowered. Join us as we explore practical strategies, share experiences, and deepen our understanding of how to honour our kawa, our curriculum, and our tino rangatiratanga as educators. Together, we can continue to build a truly bicultural nation where the reo me ngā tikanga of every mokopuna are recognised and celebrated.

Book for the full series below for only $216.00!

Please read our Terms and Conditions before purchasing.

Infant & Toddler ALL WORKSHOPS (Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland)
2025-05-27 18:00 - 20:00
Infant & Toddler Workshop Series

Three workshops presented by Anita Homewood
Held in Rosedale, North Auckland & Mangere East, South Auckland

Click here to download a flyer to print and share!

Session 1: A Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers: Nurturing Mindfulness and respect
The first three years of life for a child is one of the most rapid in terms of learning and development. Within this time, each child is gathering data and making sense of their world; most of this learning occurs in partnership with trusting relationships with knowledgable and wise adults. We will look at the Principles of Respect, the foundation for Educaring® as developed by Magda Gerber, and how they weave beautifully with the Principles and Goals in Te Whāriki. We will look at examples of environment and practice that may nurture our youngest learners.

North: Tues 11 March, 6pm-8pm @ New Shoots Greenhithe, 31 Chester Avenue, GreenhitheSouth: Tues 29 April, 6pm-8pm @ Little Feet Childcare, 26 Yates Road, Mangere East

Session 2: The Leaderful Learner: Freedom to be
Our image of the infant and toddler shapes how we support their learning. As kaiako we are guided by Te Whāriki vision that children already ‘are capable and competent learners and communicators…’ So what does this look like for our youngest learners? We will look at what it means to allow infants and toddlers to take the lead in their learning. We will look at our environments, identifying schema or urges as learning, and take time to look at what our role as a kaiako might be as infants and toddlers make sense of the ever-changing world around them.

North: Tues 25 March, 6pm-8pm @ New Shoots Greenhithe, 31 Chester Avenue, Greenhithe
South: Tues 13 May, 6pm-8pm @ Little Feet Childcare, 26 Yates Road, Mangere East

Session 3: With a little love and understanding: Nurturing social competence
We are understanding more and more the importance of the first three years of life in laying the foundations for learning. Te Whāriki works beautifully to develop the whole child, recognising the importance of nurturing social competence. So how do we create an environment where infants & toddlers are able to grow this learning? What about those challenging moments? Where does empathy begin? We will look at what we can learn from brain research about this vital learning for children. We will pay particular attention to how we can support toddlers to understand and work through these emotions – looking at examples of the rich learning that comes from creating emotionally safe spaces.

North: Tues 8 April, 6pm-8pm @ New Shoots Greenhithe, 31 Chester Avenue, GreenhitheSouth: Tues 27 May, 6pm-8pm @ Little Feet Childcare, 26 Yates Road, Mangere East

$60 per person for one session only
$160 per person for all three sessions

SOLD OUT NORTH Auckland at New Shoots Greenhithe, 31 Chester Avenue, Greenhithele

SOLD OUT SOUTH Auckland at Little Feet Childcare, 26 Yates Road Mangere East

With Anita Homewood,
Professional Learning Facilitator, Educational Leadership Project
Click here to read Anita’s bio…

Toitū Te Whāriki
2025-06-11 18:30 - 20:00 | ONLINE EVENT, New Zealand
Toitū Te WhārikiLynette TamarapaTumuaki, Te Kōhanga Reo o Mana TamarikiWednesday 11 June, 6:30-8:00pm
In a time where the Early Childhood education sector is being challenged by government regulation changes Toitū Te Whāriki is more relevant than ever. Te Whāriki MUST include Te Tiriti references, join me in the conversation about how engagement with Māori as Mana Whenua benefits all cultures in an early learning environment, the wider community and beyond.Understanding that through waiata (song), pūrakau (stories) and engagement with mana whenua (local peoples) Te Whāriki becomes a living and breathing bicultural curriculum document.Let’s choose what’s best for our education sector- Toitū Te Whāriki!

Please read our Terms and Conditions before purchasing.

To go back to all events in the series click here.

Ministry of Education ECE Symposium: Rotorua 12 July 2025
2025-07-12 09:00 - 16:30 | Rydges Rotorua, 10 Tryon Street, Rotorua, New Zealand
Click here to choose your workshop options

Click Here To Register!

Programme:
8:30am-9:00am: Registration and coffee and tea on arrival
9:00-9:30: Mihi Whakatau (welcome)
9:30-10:30: Keynote by Miraka Davies
10:30-11:00: Morning Tea provided
11:00-12:30: Workshop Session One (4 workshops to choose from)
12:30-1:15: Lunch provided
1:15-2:45: Workshop Session Two (4 workshops to choose from)
2:45-3:00: Break
3:00-3:30: “Step into Joy” with Julie Killick
3:30-4:00: Keynote by Wendy Lee
4:00-4:15pm: Whakawātea (Farewell)

Te Whakapakari i te Tūāpapa – Strengthening the Foundation
2025-08-13 18:00 - 20:30 | ONLINE EVENT, New Zealand
Te Whakapakari i te Tūāpapa – Strengthening the FoundationLeanne ClaytonPouarahi ā-rohe, Te Rūnanga Nui o ngā KKM o AotearoaWednesday 13 August, 6:30-8:00pm
In this powerful and timely online wānanga, we gather to reflect deeply on the foundations of our practice in early childhood education. Te Whāriki offers us a whāriki manaaki, a nurturing mat woven with purpose and care, for our tamariki to grow, flourish, and take flight. But for this sacred weaving to be strong, the tūāpapa beneath it must be steady, intentional, and resilient.
Te Whakapakari i te Tūāpapa invites kaiako, leaders, and learning communities across the motu to pause, wānanga, and ask:· What is the state of our foundation now, post-Covid?· Where is it strong? Where might it need healing, re-strengthening, or even courageous re-structuring?· How do we return to the heart of our kaupapa with renewed clarity and purpose?
Together we will explore how the strands of Mana Atua, Mana Whenua, Mana Reo, Mana Tangata, and Mana Aotūroa, when truly grounded in ngā hononga, whānau tangata, kotahitanga, and whakamana, create not only a strong foundation, but a launchpad. From this base, tamariki can soar (kia rere arorangi te tamaiti), confident, competent, and standing tall in the world as rangatira in their own right.
This is a space for honest reflection, reconnection, and recommitment. Whether your foundation is in need of strengthening, mending, or re-imagining, this workshop will offer inspiration, insight, and collective wisdom to support you on the journey.

Please read our Terms and Conditions before purchasing.

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Te Ōhāki - Our Taonga
2025-09-10 18:30 - 20:00 | ONLINE EVENT, New Zealand
Te Ōhāki – Our TaongaRoskill South Kindergarten teaching teamWednesday 10 September, 6:30-8:00pmThis workshop will explore our journey to create a taonga that celebrates the people, places, and things valued and cherished by our kindergarten whānau, past and present.Our vision to create a Pou was a collaborative project involving tamariki, whānau, kaiako, the community, and local iwi. It has captured the stories, wairua, and aroha from the past 50 years of our kindergarten whānau and celebrates the uniqueness of our place.Te Ao Māori was the kaupapa that guided this process, and our links with our local maunga and iwi were strengthened. Storytelling was key to the creation of our taonga, and this process strengthened community engagement, brought cultures together, and produced an artefact that fosters a sense of belonging and enhances the mana of the past, present, and future community. We will share Learning Stories, Whānau Stories and Collaborative Community Stories to share our magical journey to create our Pou – Te Ōhāki.

EXPLORE THE OTHER WORKSHOPS AS PART OF THIS SERIES

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Weaving Stories of Place, Identity and Belonging
2025-10-29 18:30 - 20:00 | ONLINE EVENT, New Zealand
Weaving Stories of Place, Identity and BelongingRoberta SkeochNEW DATE: Wednesday 29 October, 6:30-8:00pmThis kōrero explores how early childhood kaiako use indigenous knowledge and traditional stories to foster a sense of identity, belonging, and inclusion for mokopuna, in diverse learning environments. Grounded in Sociocultural Theory, Māori theories of learning, and narrative assessment, the session highlights research findings showing how Māori stories enrich the curriculum, strengthen cultural identity, and enhance engagement—especially for Māori learners. Through discussion and reflection, participants will consider how culturally responsive teaching practices can support all children to connect with their place, language, and heritage.

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To see the other workshops in this series click here.

He Haerenga Mātauranga: Embracing Our Journey in Te Reo Māori and Te Whāriki
2025-11-12 18:30 - 20:00 | ONLINE EVENT, New Zealand
He Haerenga Mātauranga: Embracing Our Journey in Te Reo Māori and Te WhārikiBridget ChapmanHead Teacher, Northland Kindergarten AssociationWednesday 12 November, 6:30-8:00pmTe Whāriki is grounded in a bicultural framework that honours the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This kōrero invites kaiako to reflect on our shared haerenga ako, our journey as learners and advocates of te reo Māori within the early childhood education context. Te Whāriki emphasises the importance of importance of identity, language, and culture, affirming the unique heritage each mokopuna brings to their learning environment. As we walk this path together, we acknowledge the wero (challenges) and embrace the opportunities that come with integrating te reo Māori into our everyday practice.
Our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi calls us to foster hononga (partnerships) that respect and uplift ngā tirohanga Māori (Māori perspectives), ensuring that te reo Māori and tikanga Māori are authentically and meaningfully woven into the fabric of our ako settings. By embracing a humble and aroha-based approach, we create inclusive, responsive environments where all tamariki feel seen, valued, and empowered. Join us as we explore practical strategies, share experiences, and deepen our understanding of how to honour our kawa, our curriculum, and our tino rangatiratanga as educators. Together, we can continue to build a truly bicultural nation where the reo me ngā tikanga of every mokopuna are recognised and celebrated.

EXPLORE THE OTHER WORKSHOPS AS PART OF THIS SERIES

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The Stories We Weave: Te Whāriki at 30!
2026-03-14 09:00 - 16:00 | Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre, 58 Waipuna Road, Auckland, Auckland, 1060, New Zealand
SATURDAY 14 MARCH 2026
Waipuna Hotel & Conference Centre
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

A full day of presentations and networking opportunities!
Plus 3 months of access to an exclusive online workshop suite developed from this event’s sessions.

Click here to download a flyer programme to print and share!

Click on the button above to read about our amazing speakers!
Step into a day of inspiration, connection and possibility! Celebrate the power of storytelling and the heart of Te Whāriki to nurture curious, confident and compassionate learners. Unite voices from near and far, unlock fresh perspectives and reignite your passion. Dive deep into practice, connect with kindred spirits and help weave a brighter future through every story shared.
Our programme includes a professional learning experience with a difference – The (Inter)National Quality Framework – The Musical! written and performed by Dr Red Ruby Scarlet & Louise Dorrat. Get ready for an intellectual, ironic, engaging, toe tapping, hand clapping, finger snapping interactive performance to reclaim the joy!

This year’s conference brings everyone together in one space, rather than breaking into workshop sessions, for a shared professional learning experience. You’ll gain insight from leading voices in early childhood education with opportunities to reflect, discuss, and apply new ideas, united by our shared passion for mokopuna and their growth.
Let’s come together to celebrate, transform, and nurture the incredible potential of every child through the shared power of stories and Te Whāriki. This is more than a conference, it’s a movement. Join us!

Accommodation deals available – let us know upon registering and we will send you the info to book at the special conference price!
To book, add the number of tickets to your cart and enter attendee and billing details on checkout. An invoice will then be emailed to you. If you have any problems booking, email admin@elp.co.nz for help.
