Raise your voice for tamariki now

This submission page has now closed. You are still able to submit though the Ministry of Regulation website here before 31 August 2024.

Speak up for ratios, qualified teachers, safety at work and more

‘He taonga te mokopuna, kia whāngaia, kia tipu, kia rea.
A child is a treasure, to be nurtured, to grow, to flourish.’

The Ministry for Regulation is conducting a review of the early childhood education (ECE) sector and is now calling for submissions. The review could have major consequences for ECE kaiako and kaimahi, so it’s essential that your voice is heard.

What’s happening

The Government is re-writing the regulations you currently work under in early childhood, and fast! This review won't just be looking at nappy charts and paperwork – it is about things like ratios and who decides on them, maximum licensing sizes, whether or not qualified teachers are needed to deliver early childhood education. These are big and important issues. 

The review will weigh up the cost and benefit of each regulation – but if money, profit, and what’s good for business are the main considerations, the decisions about regulation could have wide reaching impacts on your sector, your job, and your ability to deliver high quality early childhood education. 

We already know this review won’t address the things that will make the biggest difference, but who will ensure the voices of the frontline are heard and the interests of tamariki are upheld?

Why is this important?

Regulations set the parameters for the day-to-day work of ECE kaiako and kaimahi and the learning and safety conditions for tamariki.

It’s not just about paperwork! Everything – from the physical space centres occupy, to the safety of tamariki, and the pay rates kaiako receive – is determined by regulations.The risk of regulatory failure is huge in ECE, because it affects the safety and wellbeing of tamariki.

The Ministry for Regulation intends to consider the rationale for the Government’s involvement in and regulation of the sector – that means the very purpose of ECE is under consideration with this review.

Key points when making your submission

What does quality early childhood mean for you? What should early childhood education in Aotearoa aspire to? What needs to be in place for this to happen?

Here are some issues you may wish to reflect on to include in your submission:

o   Ratios: What do optimal teacher-child ratios look like? What impact do current ratios have on kaiako and tamariki? Why is it important to mandate safe ratios?

o   Parity: How important is pay parity to you and the sector more generally? What would the impact of removing pay parity be on you and your colleagues?

o   Safety: Are there common safety issues you have noticed or experienced in your setting? What needs to be in place to mitigate these? What does the Government need to do to ensure that all ECE centres are safe for tamariki and allow them to thrive in their education?

o   Qualified workforce: Qualified, certificated early childhood teachers have specialist pedagogical expertise and experience. What are some of the risks posed by the possibility of removing the current minimum requirement for 50% qualified, certificated teachers?