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COI (Centre of Innovation)

The Centre of Innovation (COI) Programme is a strategy aimed at improving the quality of early childhood education. This publication home page provides access to the final research reports prepared by teacher researchers and research associates at the completion of each COI project.

Author: Various
Date Published: Various
More detailed information about the Centres of Innovation programme can be found at http://www.lead.ece.govt.nz/CentresOfInnovation/default.htm

The Centres of Innovation (COI) Programme is a strategy aimed at improving the quality of early childhood education.  It aims to promote a deeper exploration of innovative teaching and learning processes already underway in early childhood services.

A limited number of ECE services are selected on merit in each round by a selection panel convened by the Ministry of Education.  Selected services are designated COI for a three year period during which time they are contracted by the Ministry to: Research and further develop their existing innovative practice; and disseminate information about their innovation and the outcomes of their research.  They work in partnership with a research associate who is contracted by the ministry to provide research support services to their teacher researcher partners.

At the end of each COI project, the teacher researchers and their research associate produce a comprehensive final research report. 

To view final research reports of already completed COI projects follow the links below.


Collaborations: Teachers and a Family Whänau Support Worker in an Early Childhood Setting. Final Report to the Ministry of Education

This report describes the Centre of Innovation (COI) research project carried out by the teacher-researchers of Citizens Preschool and Nursery, Dunedin between 2005 to 2007. This COI was part of the second round of funded centres, where the focus area for research was how collaborative relationships impact on children’s learning and development.

Author:  Citizens Preschool And Nursery Centre Of Innovation 2005-2007.
Date Published:  March 2008

Ako Ngatahi Teaching and Learning Together as One. From Leadership to Enquiry. Teachers’ work in an Infants’ and Toddlers’ Centre

This report describes the Centre of Innovation action research project carried out in the Hoiho Section at Massey Child Care Centre Inc Palmerston North, between February 2005 and August 2007.

Author:  Raewyne Bary, Caryn Deans, Monika Charlton, Heather Hullet, Faith Martin, Libby Martin, Paulette Moana, Olivia Waugh, Barbara Jordan & Cushla Scrivens
Date Published:  February 2008

Nurturing a culture of care for infants and first-time parents: The SPACE Programme at Te Marua/Mangaroa Playcentre Early Childhood Centre of Innovation

The SPACE programme (Supporting Parents Alongside Children’s Education) at Te Marua/Mangaroa Playcentre is an early childhood Centre of Innovation (COI).

Author:  Valerie N. Podmore and Sarah Te One (Victoria University of Wellington) with Leanne Dawson, Truus Dingemanse, Jeanette Higham, Justine Jones, Kathy Matthews, and Sue Pattinson (Te Marua/Mangaroa Playcentre COI research team members)
Date Published:  1st February 2008

O le Tama Ma Lana A'oga, O le Tama Ma Lona Fa'asinomaga - Nurturing Positive Identity in Children - Final Research Report

Final research report from the A'oga Fa'a Samoa, an Early Childhood Centre of Innovation. The report was prepared for the Ministry of Education by Valerie N. Podmore with Tanya Wendt Samu and the A'oga Fa'a Samoa.

Author:  Valerie N. Podmore with Tanya Wendt Samu and the A'oga Fa'a Samoa.
Date Published:  14 August 2006

The Flight of Our Kite - the Wycliffe Nga Tamariki Kindergarten Story - Ministry of Education

This is the final research report of Wycliffe Nga Tamariki Kindergarten, a round one ECE Centre of Innovation.

Author:  Penny Haworth, Joy Cullen, Heather Simmons, Liz Schimanski, Pam McGarva, and Eileen Woodhead
Date Published:  June 2006

Strengthening Learning and Teaching using ICT - Roskill South Kindergarten Final Research Report

A number of outcomes from the Roskill South Kindergarten Centre of Innovation action research project are set out in this Report. The project asked questions about the integration of ICT into everyday learning and teaching in a kindergarten sited in a multicultural and multilingual community. What were the outcomes for children and families? What were some of the key features of such an integration and what difference did it make for teachers?

Author:  Karen Ramsey, Jane Breen, Jacqui Sturm, Wendy Lee and Margaret Carr
Date Published:  June 2006

Putting Identity into CommunIty - New Beginnings Preschool COI Final Research Report

New Beginnings Preschool was one of six New Zealand early childhood centres participating in the first round of the Ministry of Education’s Centres of Innovation three-year research project. The hallmark of this research programme was action research led by participant teacher researchers. In this report, New Beginnings Preschool explored the ways in which visual arts and project work in the curriculum contributed to building a community of learners in this early childhood environment. Significant outcomes of the research include new understandings of the construction of identity, both individual and collective, within the Preschool community.

Author:  Jocelyn Wright, Debbie Ryder and Elaine Mayo (lead writers) with New Beginnings Preschool Inc.
Date Published:  June 2006

Te Ohonga Ake o Te Reo

This is the final report of Te Kohanga Reo o Puau Te Moananui a Kiwa and tells the story of the journey undertaken by the whanau of this service during the time they were a designated Centre of Innovation between 2003 – 2006

Author:  Hariata Rawinia Pohatu, Kanewa Stokes and Herewini Austin
Date Published:  2006

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