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Fully Funded SELO AI in ECE Professional Learning 2026 for Waikato Early Childhood Centres

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We've partnered with your local Ministry of Education SELO team to bring you a range of FULLY FUNDED AI in ECE workshops for your teachers and leaders. After these workshops, your team will demonstrate increased confidence, capability, and professional judgement in the ethical and responsible use of AI to support planning, documentation, communication, and child-led learning.

 

The programme includes:

  • 2 × face-to-face workshops (same workshop delivered twice)

  • 2 × online collective learning workshops (same session delivered twice)

  • Personalised direct to centre PLD for 15 selected services

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Brought to you by the Ministry of Education Waikato SELO Team.​

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Register your team

Would you like a FULLY FUNDED AI consultation session for your service?

Apply here for a fully funded 2 hour in-person or online consultation targeting AI at your place. Every ECE centre has unique challenges - and our experts have the experience and knowledge to support them all! 

FAQ

  • The AI in ECE PLD programme is a professional learning opportunity for early childhood education (ECE) services across the SELO Waikato region. It supports kaiako and leaders to build confidence and capability in the ethical and responsible use of AI tools for planning, documentation, communication, and child-led learning—while staying grounded in relationships and ECE values.

  • This programme is designed for:

    • ECE kaiako (teachers and educators)

    • Centre leaders and managers

    • Service-based teams

    • ECE services across the SELO Waikato region

    Whether your team is new to AI or already experimenting with it, this programme supports services to use AI thoughtfully and purposefully in everyday teaching practice.

  • Kaiako will explore how AI can be used as a supportive tool—not a teacher to enhance professional practice and reduce workload pressure while maintaining strong ethical boundaries.

    Learning includes:

    • Practical AI tools and examples for ECE

    • AI-supported planning and documentation strategies

    • Ethical decision-making and professional judgement

    • AI use that remains child-centred and relationship-based

    • Responsible communication and documentation support

  • This programme explicitly focuses on ethical, culturally grounded use of AI, including:

    • Professional judgement and accountability

    • Ethical dilemmas in real ECE contexts

    • Data privacy and responsible digital practice

    • Ensuring tamariki remain at the centre of teaching and learning

    AI is explored as a tool to support kaiako practice—not replace relationships, observation, or responsive teaching.

  • The workshops support kaiako to explore AI practices that reflect and uphold Te Whāriki by:

    • Strengthening intentional teaching and reflective practice

    • Supporting meaningful learning stories and documentation

    • Enhancing communication with whānau

    • Maintaining a strong focus on wellbeing, belonging, contribution, communication, and exploration

  • This PLD is grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally sustaining practice, supporting educators to consider:

    • Māori perspectives and the importance of cultural integrity

    • Māori data sovereignty and when to seek cultural consultation

    • How AI can (and cannot) be used appropriately in ECE contexts

    • Equity, representation, and ethical responsibilities

    • Professional decision-making that honours local values and identity

  • Face-to-face full day workshops (9am–3pm)
    📍 The Link Community Centre

    Te Aroha St, Hamilton, New Zealand.

    • Wednesday 18 February

    • Tuesday 24 February

    Online community of practice (5.30pm–7.30pm)

    • Tuesday 10 March

    • Thursday 19 March

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