History

Early Education has been a part of the Aotearoa New Zealand early childhood community since the early 1990s. The journal was established by Caryl Hamer, who had a long involvement in early childhood education. Caryl has worked with a range of early childhood organisations including the NZ Playcentre Federation, YMCAs of New Zealand, Te Tari Puna Ora O Aotearoa/NZ Childcare Association and Anau Ako Pasifika. The journal was established as a subscription-based print journal.

When Caryl left her role as Early Education’s founder and editor, she handed the reins to Cushla Scrivens at Massey University. Cushla cared for the journal for several years before her retirement in 2006.

The journal then went to Claire McLachlan and Sue Stover at AUT. The journal was given a new look and layout.

On Sue Stover’s retirement in early 2018, Claire McLachlan and Sally Peters (University of Waikato) and Karyn Aspden (Massey University) took care of the journal. In 2019 the journal moved to an online, open access format, with increased accessibility hosted through the Wilf Malcolm Institute of Educational Research at the University of Waikato. Back issues from AUT are available on the website.

From 2024 the journal has returned to its roots at Massey University and continues to grow in partnership with the Massey University Early Years Research Lab. We've given the journal a refreshed look, building on past design.

The purpose of the journal has remained unchanged over its history: Early Education’s key purpose is to share valuable ideas about early years education, including research insights and perspectives of best practice.