EC-Menz is the New Zealand based national network for men in early childhood education (ECE). Membership is open to both men and women who share our goals.
EC-Menz was founded in 2007 as a network of men and women dedicated to highlighting the many important roles men play in the early childhood education sector in Aotearoa / New Zealand
Our Vision
Men fully participating at all levels of Early Childhood Education to represent the diversity of our society in Aotearoa.
Our Mission
Supporting men to participate in Early Childhood Education.
Our Goals
- To promote ECE as a great career for men.
- To network with other men involved in ECE.
- To support men working and training in the ECE sector.
- To lobby for initiatives to increase the numbers of men teaching in ECE.
All around Aotearoa men are making a huge difference in the lives of young children. EC-MENz is New Zealand’s only national organisation dedicated solely to supporting the many roles of men in early childhood education.
Some of the many benefits of gender balance in ECE teaching teams are:
- Providing positive male role models and surrounding children with positive male—female relationships
- Encouraging fathers to communicate in ways that make them feel comfortable and to become more involved with the ECE service
- Providing another dimension to play, often including an emphasis on outdoor play, positive risk taking, and healthy competition
- Providing different perspectives, teaching styles, and life experiences to enrich the learning environment.