The 2025 MartinJenkins literature review “What does the evidence say about the relationships between ECEC structural quality and children’s outcomes?” was commissioned by the Ministry of Education to inform policy analysis and advice.

Under the Official Information Act, Kindergartens Aotearoa requested a copy and asked two of our Kaitiaki Council members Professor Alex Gunn from the University of Otago Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka and Professor Linda Mitchell from the University of Waikato Te Whare Wananga o Waikato, to comment on the review.

The review has the potential to significantly influence ECE policy in Aotearoa at a time when important decisions about regulations and funding are being made.

Gunn and Mitchell’s commentary supports a critical reading of the review by addressing:

1. The aims of the literature review and their coherence with outcomes of Te Whāriki;
2. The methodology, including inclusion criteria, search strategy, assessment of quality of literature, and analysis and synthesis of findings;
3. Some key conclusions about teacher qualifications drawn from the review;
4. Relevance of some selected Aotearoa New Zealand research and evaluation studies.

They end with some thoughts on possibilities for a more expansive and robust consideration of relevant research and literature to inform policy.