What is the Early Childhood Network and How Can You Be Involved? 

The Network operates to bring fresh thinking to early childcare and education along with supporting individuals and organisations working in this area.  Research, policy, and practice is brought together to inform, educate, and assist.

ChildForum is a modern and nonpartisan group with a strong basis in early childhood expertise and practical experience.

Our members are people and organisations who are keen to make a positive difference for young children by accessing information and research, giving comment, reading what others say, and being part of a forum.

How else might you be involved?  If you are keen to contribute more in any way such as by writing articles, reviewing manuscripts, or even helping to organise events, please do tell us. Your ideas and feedback also, will help us to grow this service for the benefit of young children's early care and education. 

A Brief History

The NZ Early Childhood Research Network was founded in 1998 and quickly grew its membership to just over 1,000 researchers and people interested in early childhood research.  In the same year the first issue of the NZ Research in Early Childhood Education Journal was published by the Network. 

In August 2010 ChildForum expanded its expertise to provide information and support on childcare and teaching, and early childhood service management. Click on the video to learn more about ChildForum.

Our Team

Read below about the people working behind the scenes to bring you ChildForum.

Dr Sarah Farquhar – Chief Executive

Sarah's background is in early childhood education, lecturing, research, ECE management and publishing.  She is a mother of five children.

Her research areas have included defining quality in early childhood services, men in teaching, the effects of childcare on children, and breastfeeding-friendly ECE services. Sarah has undertaken research contracts for a Ministry of Education Best Evidence synthesis on "quality teaching: early foundations" and a study of the Parents as First Teachers Programme.

With a strong intellect and experience in all key elements of parenting, teaching, research, publishing, policy analysis, public relations, and knowing the needs of early childhood services, families, and researchers Sarah leads the ChildForum Early Childhood Network.  

Arwen Hann – Communications Manager

Arwen was born and brought up in the south-east of England where she worked as a journalist before moving to New Zealand with her husband in 2005.

She joined The Press newspaper in Christchurch as a general reporter. In 2006 Arwen became the Education reporter specialising in schools and early childhood education.

She has one child, born in 2008. Arwen revelled in the role of stay-at-home mum before returning to work and is a vital part of the ChildForum Early Childhood Network.

Arwen is a skilled writer with an understanding of public views of early childhood care and education and what key stories of interest are.  She is enthusiastic about supporting families and the early childhood sector. 

Reg Ponniah - Chief Editor

We warmly welcome Reg to our team. Formerly a senior journalist/sub-editor with the New Zealand Press Association,  Reg brings with him substantial experience in editing and writing for print media as well as editing academic papers and theses. 

Warwick Marshall - Early Childhood Education Advisor

Warwick’s career history includes five years in the education sector in Japan followed by six years of advisory roles in the New Zealand public sector. He returned to education by recently completing a graduate diploma in ECE. 

Having raised his two step children from 6 year olds to 17 year olds Warwick’s interest and experience with under fives began in earnest with the birth of his child in 2010. 

His fresh perspective, professional approach and commitment to work for children offers helpful insights and the development of useful resources.

NZ Research in Early Childhood Education Journal 

Editorial Board Members, 2013

Dr Wendy Boyd (Southern Cross University, New South Wales)
Dr Kaye Cederman (Trinity College, Ireland)
Dr Elspeth McInnes (University of South Australia, Adelaide)
Dr Janet Moles (Deakin University, Melbourne) 
Prof Freda Briggs (University of South Australia, Adelaide)
Dr Marg Sellers (RMIT University, Melbourne)
Dr Jane Bone (Monash University, Melbourne)
Prof Pam Whitty (University of New Brunswick, Canada)
Tui Summers (NZ College of ECE, Christchurch)
Dr Corine Rivalland (Monash University, Melbourne)
with Dr Sarah Farquhar (ChildForum) as managing Editor

All enquiries about the NZRECE Journal and submitting a manuscript should in the first instance be sent to Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or click here to go to journal publication and submission information on this website.