Pūmanawa Rangahau Kōhungahunga

Institute for Early Childhood Studies

Find out about the work being done by the Wellington Faculty of Education’s Institute for Early Childhood Studies and get contact details for our staff.

The Wellington Cable Car, overlaid with children's drawings of people in the window.
Wellington Cable Car

Introduction

The Institute was established in 1995 as a joint initiative by Victoria University of Wellington and Wellington College of Education. It is part of the University's Faculty of Education.

The Institute promotes excellence in early childhood education through research, policy studies, and professional learning and development.

The Institute maintains strong links to the early childhood teacher education sector through the activities of its members.

The work of the Institute

The work of the Institute includes:

  • being a public voice in the interest of children and their families on early childhood issues
  • research and publications on early childhood education and issues related to the learning and development of young children
  • national and international consultancy to governmental and non-governmental agencies on early childhood issues
  • public seminars and professional learning and development workshops as a resource for early childhood professionals
  • support for early childhood researchers in tertiary institutions, early childhood organisations, and early childhood centres
  • maintenance of an archive of early childhood historical documents, and a reference library of a series of specialist early childhood books, journals, video tapes, and personal collections
  • provision of a welcoming place for visiting international and national early childhood scholars and for local early childhood groups
  • adminstration of the Tony Holmes Early Childhood Education and Care Fellowship.

Tony Holmes Early Childhood Education and Care Fellowship

A man with grey hair and a beard looking at the camera. There is a view of mountains behind him.

The annual Tony Holmes Fellowship is for an Early Childhood practitioner working in an early childhood education and care setting.

The Fellowship is intended to allow the recipient time for research and reflection, leading to recommendations for pedagogical or policy change that would benefit early childhood education and care in New Zealand.

The practitioner will be based at Victoria University of Wellington—Te Herenga Waka, Faculty of Education and will be associated with the Institute for Early Childhood Studies.

The Fellowship runs for a period of up to three months, depending on available funds. The award includes a stipend and covers the cost of travel and accommodation. It also includes access to the University library and a study space.

The Fellowship is open to current practitioners and preference is given to proposals in the field of nurturing language skills. This includes skills in more than one language—especially te reo Māori and Pasifika languages.

Email lisa.terreni@vuw.ac.nz for more information.

Professional learning videos

Art lessons from a ceramics collection

Lisa Terreni shares research findings at the 2023 Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Art Educators.
Child's artwork of cardboard boxes and clay figures.

When art meets science

Lisa Terreni and Sola Freeman discuss the importance of science and art as learning domains in the New Zealand early childhood curriculum.
A colourful children's drawing of a taniwha, supernatural creatures in Māori tradition, similar to serpents and dragons in other cultures.

Art ideas from the tiny studio

Lisa Terreni explores what children can make using resources from recycling, from making and decorating puppet theatres, to postcards.

Watch the recent IECS Kōwhiti Whakapae webinar

Get in touch

Contact the Director of the Institute

Lisa profile picture

Dr Lisa Terreni

Senior Lecturer
School of Education