What is the place of AI in ECE? Unpicking common concerns from educators

You might have heard that Storypark has been thinking a lot about artificial intelligence (AI) and its place in early childhood education lately. If the conversations we’ve been having and the discussions we’ve been seeing across the sector are anything to go by, you are too! With the pace that AI has leapt forward over the past year, you might...

/ October 9, 2024

Asking questions about the use of AI in early childhood education: Creating your AI policy

Early childhood education is easily one of the best spaces to ask questions and be curious. We are continually inspired not only by children, who explore their world with creativity and diligence by asking “Why?” but also by educators and practitioners who hone their practice through critical thinking and feedback. Daniel Wahl, in his book, Redesigning Generative Cultures says, “The...

/ September 11, 2024

Exploring AI in Early Childhood Education: Our Considered Approach

We’ve been thinking a lot about artificial intelligence (AI) lately. Not just because it’s a hot topic, but because we’re always looking for ways to better support our early learning communities across New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and beyond — and we believe the technological leaps in the AI space shouldn’t be ignored. Our approach as always, is to work closely...

/ August 28, 2024

Documenting the EYLF planning cycle

When planning, documentation is essential and all the elements of the Early Years Learning Framework’s ongoing planning cycle need to be considered.   In this blog we unpack the planning cycle’s five separate sections: observe, assess, plan, implement and evaluate. Under each section we will share insights on how rich pedagogical documentation can serve as evidence of planning and support...

/ July 12, 2024

Part two: What are the steps to data-based decision making in ECE?

Welcome back to the series on data-based decision making in ECE! We’re looking at how data and analysis coupled with our own professional intuition and insight can inform better decision making in early childhood education. (Missed part one? Check it out here). In utilising data-driven decision-making to tackle childcare problems, Ernst and Young, highlight its importance, “comparable to finding that...

/ June 20, 2024

Part one: What are the benefits of data-based decision making in ECE?

Welcome to the series on data-based decision making in ECE! We’re looking at how data and analysis coupled with our own professional intuition and insight can inform better decision making in early childhood education. Data based decision making is simply leveraging data such as parent feedback, ECE market trends, educator and services’ performance, and financials to guide the process of...

/ May 27, 2024

Reggio Emilia – Documenting my inspiration and learning (from a New Zealand perspective)

My learning about the Reggio Emilia educational project began as I listened to a presentation by Leila Gandini, editor of The Hundred Languages of Children. Leila Gandini’s session challenged my (limited, then) view of how capable preschool children could be as thirsty knowledge seekers. She showed pedagogical contexts in Reggio Emilia preschools that expanded children’s explorations across different ‘languages’, fed their...

/ May 22, 2024

Attachment Theory For Early Childhood Educators

Introduction The significance of attachment between an infant and a primary caregiver has long been recognised (Ainsworth et al., 1978, cited in Gonzalez-Mena & Eyer, 2015; Bowlby, 1958); in fact, John Bowlby began investigating this idea in the 1950s. Developing a healthy attachment relationship with an educator is also essential for infants and toddlers in Early Childhood Education and Care...

/ April 2, 2024

Welcoming parents and families with Storypark

As we return to work with fresh energy and inspiration for an exciting year ahead, now is a great time to prepare for a thoughtful and stress-free welcome for children, parents and families as they return or start their journey with your early learning service. This blog post shares some of the most successful tips and techniques practised by leading...

/ January 18, 2024

Help is at your fingertips

How to Find the Help You Need Do you sometimes find when you are using Storypark that you have a burning question to ask or a problem to solve? Thankfully, Storypark is relatively straightforward to use, but figuring things out through exploring or trial and error costs you the one thing you don’t have a lot of. Time! To help...

/ January 15, 2024