Early Childhood on Stafford

19/04/2026

Last Wednesday, we learned that Lyle, who worked for us from 2009 to 2019, had passed away suddenly. We remember a man who knew much, who thrived in the outdoors and shared his passions with many groups of children and whānau over his time with us. He dissected possums, filleted fish, was a skilled rope worker, knew lots about the physical world and flora and fauna, was a keen gardener and creator of outdoor spaces and wore jandals in all seasons. He facilitated many, many excursions to exciting spaces such as Macreas mine, Sullivans dam, the Otago Peninsula, and was enthusiastic about the albatross and other marine and aquatic life.
This passion took him back to the sea in 2019 and we were privileged to have shared aspects of his life. Our thoughts are with Kylie and his daughters Jess and Murphy, and his mum Janet, who have all lost a big part of their lives with his passing.

A memorial Service is being held for Lyle this Wednesday 22 April at Hope and Sons at 10am - it is able to be live streamed if you cant be there - follow this link
https://hopeandsons.co.nz/funeral/champnesslyleedward-1-FIN53015772/

19/03/2026

Einstein is reported to have said " Play is highest form of research" ....

We do know however, he did say “The desire to arrive finally at logically connected concepts is the emotional basis of a vague play with basic ideas. This combinatory or associative play seems to be the essential feature in productive thought.”

so if you're looking for productive thought Einstein believes Free play is the way to go....

Learn how playing independently can benefit your child’s development

12/03/2026

Its just not good enough

11/03/2026

There was a rumour of a patched gang out in the Taieri yesterday ........on closer inspection, it was our Ecos marauders investigating the Chain Hills Tunnel. Nothing like cruising with your mates !!!!!

17/01/2026

I am on holiday and reading Joseph O'Connor's "The Ghosts of Rome" and part way through there is a paragraph where a discussion is being held on whether a young person should be allowed to be in the Vatican (set in 1944) - anyway the text is outlining a view of the subject andthis really resonated
" Give the young a little space into which to unfurl and they'll come good in the end. There is wisdom in not fighting for the observations of every last comma in the rulebook. Better not to conduct human relationships in the manner of a bumptious French train inspector issuing a probably spurious fine. As we say, in Italian, fate silenzio.
Make silence
Give things time.
I like this as it allows children time and space to learn and to me it also trusts the process - its not hands off but it certainly is growth centred.
fate silenzio

14/11/2025

A point to consider and the reality of present stupidity

13/11/2025

13/11/2025

Ecos at the roof of Otepoti where the ethereal mist cloaks the embrace of Rakinui and Papatuanuku ....if you don't go you don't see........

6 reasons children need to play outside - Harvard Health

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07/11/2025

There is some good information here - I love the quote about encouraging children to follow their "weirdness" and then get out of the way .....this encourages children then to see what is possible - rather than us to limit them with our history of what we found - potential is immense

Found on Google from ybgr.org

03/11/2025

There seems to be a confusion that many people believe learning in early childhood is at a table playing with symbols and that movement is a recreation choice .... we dont agree

"If we want our children to move mountains, we first have to let them get out of their chairs" (Nicolette Sowder)

30/10/2025

That dirty muddy outside is the best medicine for children to build their immune systems - and at Ecos we proudly build our children's well being each day as they flourish in our outside environment. See how Papatuanuku builds their well being and follow the link to see how the best education system in the world is realising the importance of the outdoors to our very young children's development.

In Finland, kindergartens are exposing children to more mud, wild plants and moss - and finding changes to their health that show how crucial biodiversity is to wellbeing