COI (Centre of Innovation)
Publication Details
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(s): Various
Date Published: Various
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.
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Report on the Evaluation of the Early Childhood Centres of Innovation Programme
This report presents findings of an evaluation of the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Centres of Innovation (COI) programme, which ran between 2003 and 2009. The evaluation focused on centres that entered the programme between 2003 and 2006 (Rounds One to Three). The purpose of the evaluation was to determine the impact of the COI programme within COI services and in the wider ECE sector on teachers practices and children's learning outcomes.
Author(s): Robyn Gibbs & Dr Jenny Poskitt, Evaluation Associates Ltd [Report to the Ministry of Education]
Date Published: June 2009
Released on Education Counts: 1 February 2011Centre of innovation research: An exploration of the practices and systems that foster a sense of wellbeing and belonging for young children and their families as they transition from home to a 'formal' home-based care and education
This report describes the Centre of Innovation (COI) action research project carried out by Hutt Family Day Care (HFDC) in Lower Hutt, Wellington from January 2006 to end of 2007.
Author(s): Jane Firth, Jane Couch & Liz Everiss
Date Published: December 2009
Released on Education Counts: 10 December 2010Kidsfirst Kindergartens Bush Street Centre of Innovation - 2006-08
This report describes the New Zealand Early Childhood Centre of Innovation research project at Kidsfirst Kindergartens in Bush Street (Bush Street), Rangiora.
Author(s): Kay Henson and Helen Smith (Teacher Researchers, Kidsfirst Kindergartens Bush Street) & Elaine Mayo (Research Associate, University of Canterbury)
Date Published: April 2010
Released on Education Counts: 5 May 2010Inclusion at Botany Downs Kindergarten Centre of Innovation 2006-2008
The Centre of Innovation (COI) research shared in this report focuses on inclusion in an early childhood education centre, Botany Downs Kindergarten (BDK) in Howick, Auckland.
Author(s): Bronwyn Glass, Kerry Baker and Raelene Ellis (Teacher - researchers) & Dr Helen Bernstone and Dr Bill Hagan (Research associates, Manukau Institute of Technology
Date Published: April 2010
Released on Education Counts: 5 May 2010A Curriculum Whāriki of Multimodal Literacies: Wadestown Kindergarten Centre of Innovation Report
Author(s): [Teacher researchers] Yvette Simonsen, Mandy Blake, and André La Hood, [Research associates] Maggie Haggerty and Linda Mitchell, [Senior teacher] Lynette Wray
Date Published: February 2009
Transforming learning at Wilton Playcentre
Wilton Playcentre was designated as a Centre of Innovation in 2003. This report focuses on the findings from baseline and final phase data collection, and 2½ years of action research. The research was undertaken by Wilton Playcentre parents, with the assistance of the research associates.
Author(s): Nikolien van Wijk, Ainsley Simmonds, Pam Cubey, & Linda Mitchell, with Rebecca Bulman, Michelle Wilson, & Wilton Playcentre members
Date Published: December 2008
Ko koe kei tēnā kīwai, ko au kei tēnei kīwai o te kete (You carry your handle and I’ll carry my handle, of our kete)
This report documents a three-year Centre of Innovation research project, carried out by the whānau of Te Kōpae Piripono Māori immersion early childhood centre, into its exploration of leadership and the critical importance of whānau development in ensuring successful educational experiences and fulfilled lives for Māori children and their families.
Author(s): Aroaro Tamati, Erana Hond-Flavell, Hinerangi Korewha and the whānau of Te Kōpae Piripono
Date Published: December 2008
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(s): 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(s): 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(s): 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(s): Valerie N. Podmore with Tanya Wendt Samu and the A'oga Fa'a Samoa.
Date Published: 14 August 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(s): Jocelyn Wright, Debbie Ryder and Elaine Mayo (lead writers) with New Beginnings Preschool Inc.
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(s): Karen Ramsey, Jane Breen, Jacqui Sturm, Wendy Lee and Margaret Carr
Date Published: June 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(s): Penny Haworth, Joy Cullen, Heather Simmons, Liz Schimanski, Pam McGarva, and Eileen Woodhead
Date Published: June 2006
Te Ohonga Ake o Te Reo - The Re-awakening of Maori Language: An Investigation of Kaupapa-based actions and Change
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(s): Hariata Rawinia Pohatu, Kanewa Stokes and Herewini Austin
Date Published: 2006
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