This article examines small-scale research into what passion might mean to early childhood teachers in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand. The catalyst for this research was twofold: Moyles' work in the United Kingdom on passion, professionalism and paradox, and the author's personal encounters with the distinct views in the teaching community on the relevance of passion for teaching. While on a small scale, this research is significant as it explores a term that is widely used in many contexts, particularly in relation to teaching. The research examines the interpretation of this concept in the context for teaching in early childhood education (ECE) settings in Aotearoa New Zealand and it will form the basis for further, wider research on this topic in 2012.