Kindergartens Aotearoa

Kindergartens Aotearoa is building  a strong, enduring future for kindergartens and communities in Aotearoa

Ko Wai Mātou?

As a collective of kindergarten organisations we promote equity and excellence in teaching and learning, and work to meet the needs and aspirations of tamariki, whānau, and our communities.

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Advocacy

Updates, insights, research and tools to support and empower our ECE community

kids looking at an insect held out in an adults hands

Tamariki can’t vote, but they live with our decisions

Kindergartens Aotearoa has called on political parties to commit to ECE and adopt three key principles to underpin government decision-making, policy settings and investment. Learn more

ECE: a public good

Kindergartens Aotearoa manifesto – election 2026 Learn more

Opinion Piece: Who should profit from our children’s early education?

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ECE teachers: serious concerns about policy announcement

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Kaimahi Kete

This kete is designed to help staff advocate for democracy, participation, and policies that benefit children and families in the 2026 election. Learn more

Whānau kete

This kete provides you with information and ideas about how to advocate for early childhood education and the high-quality kindergarten experience your children receive. Learn more

ECE needs investment not trade-offs

“It’s deeply concerning the government’s advisory group on early childhood education (ECE) funding is proposing trading-off quality factors including teachers’ qualifications and pay, to reduce barriers to participation” said Amanda Coulston, Kindergartens Aotearoa (KA) spokesperson. “It is short-sighted and unacceptable.” Learn more

Shifting regulation - professionalism undermined: high-quality teaching and learning at stake

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A commentary on the literature review commissioned by the Ministry of Education to inform policy analysis and advice

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Simply shifting money around won’t fix the problem

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Oral language programme needs the right conditions to succeed

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Kindergarten teacher and two children sitting on grass talking and threading beads from a basket

Recognising our teaching professionals

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A missed opportunity - Media Release

“Affordable, high-quality, inclusive ECE that is accessible across our diverse communities supports our tamariki and whānau to thrive – that has to be our priority” said Amanda Coulston. Learn more

Early childhood education pays off - now and in the future

“Affordable, high-quality, inclusive ECE that is accessible across our diverse communities supports our tamariki and whānau to thrive.” Learn more

An investment worth making

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Straightforward solutions to early childhood education funding issues

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Response to the ECE Funding Review Ministerial Advisory Group

Kindergartens Aotearoa are part of a group of community-based or not-for-profit service providers that has responded to a ministerial advisory group on ECE funding. Learn more

exteriors of kindergarten arranged in a collage with yellow text banner and green heart icon

Kindergarten Taranaki Joins Whānau Manaaki Kindergartens

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E Tū Kaha – Standing Strong for Public Early Childhood Education

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Principles and approaches to funding ECE services

A new research paper on early childhood education funding from Linda Mitchell, Retired Professor and Honorary Fellow at the University of Waikato, and Aisling Gallagher, Senior Lecturer in Geography at Massey University... Learn more

Submission: Education and Training (Systems Reform) Amendment Bill

Submission: Education and Training (Systems Reform) Amendment Bill Learn more

Kindergartens Support Te Tiriti

Kindergartens will continue to reflect Te Tiriti in our services. Learn more

Government undermines early childhood education, ignoring parents and the sector

Media release: December 1, 2025 Learn more

Our Annual Report 2024 – 2025

Annual Report 2024 – 2025: Kindergartens Aotearoa (Free Kindergarten Association) Manatōpū Learn more

How much longer? Four decades of shifting politics in teacher qualifications

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How the 2024 ECE Regulations Review frames teacher qualification issues

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Early childhood education as a public good: Challenges and possibilities

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Revernacularisation of te reo Māori and critical pedagogies in Kōhanga Reo

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Introducing Inspired Kindergartens

In this series of blog posts we’re introducing our member organisations and shining a light on their mahi and their community impact. Learn more

Our submission on Education and Training (Early Childhood Education Reform) Amendment Bill

Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback on the Education and Training (Early Childhood Reform) Amendment Bill. Learn more

kindergarten kids looking at a bug in adult hands

Our submission on Regulatory Standards Bill

Kindergartens Aotearoa is a collective of early childhood education (ECE) service providers operating over 260 licensed centre-based and home-based services across the country (1) catering for over 12,000 children each day. We also provide social services to many families and young people in our regions. Learn more

Kindergartens Aotearoa Says Law Change Harms Children

Kindergartens Aotearoa says the passing of the Education and Training Amendment Act last week signals a further move to downgrade the quality of early childhood education. Learn more

Kindergartens Welcome Learning Support Spending but Criticise Effective Cut in Base Funding

Kindergartens Aotearoa welcomes the increase in learning support funding announced in the budget which will see an increase in early intervention teachers and reducing waitlists for children who need support. Learn more

Kindergartens Support Green Policy on Early Childhood Education

Kindergartens Aotearoa supports the early childhood education policy announced by the Green Party... Learn more

pile of toy Wooden blocks painted with colourful numbers on each side

Kindergartens Call on Government To Value Women

Kindergartens Aotearoa is appalled at the Government’s move to continue to underpay women by millions of dollars by axing pay equity legislation. Learn more

Kindergartens Aotearoa supports government move to pay teacher registration fees

Kindergartens Aotearoa commends the government for its announcement that it will back teachers by funding registration and practising certificate fees. Learn more

yellow grass in foreground of blurred landscape with blue sky

Kindergartens Aotearoa opposes government putting business interests before children in ECE

In a recent announcement, the government has put forward a bill to reduce regulations on ECE. Learn more

Woman and 4 kindergarten children bending over a vegetable garden

Kaitiaki Kindergartens: tamariki-led environment action and impact

In this series of blog posts we’re introducing our member organisations and shining a light on their mahi and their community impact. Learn more

Letter to Minister re: concerns about ECE Regulatory Review recommendations

We have concern about the recommendations set out in the Ministry of Regulation’s Regulatory Review of Early Childhood Education released on Wednesday 18 December. We believe if implemented, the recommendations will undermine the quality and safety of ECE services. Learn more

Our submission on the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill

Kindergartens Aotearoa opposes the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill (“the Bill”) and calls for it to be rejected. Learn more

Kindergartens Aotearoa on ECE regulations review

A review of early childhood regulations says poor compliance in the sector is putting children at risk of harm. Amanda Coulston from Kindergartens Aotearoa spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Learn more

Kindergarten children playing with toys in tub

Kindergarten group fears rule overhaul will lower standards

RNZ article 18 December 2024 Learn more

Kindergarten boy in green cap playing with a spade in a sandpit

Policy changes in ECE have cost sector years of progress

OPINION: Early childhood education takes place at the most important period in a child’s life, when the most learning occurs and when the foundation for all future learning is set. Learn more

Kindergartens Aotearoa Opposes Lower Standards For Homebased Services

Kindergartens Aotearoa is concerned about the safety of babies and young children in home based early education and care services. Learn more

two kindergarten children playing with instruments

Submission to ECE regulatory review

As a collective of early childhood education (ECE) service providers operating 257 licensed services across the country (1), we have considerable experience working with the regulations across government institutions, regional councils and territorial authorities. Learn more

Kindergarten boy playing with toy pots and pans

Opinion piece: ECE - an investment in our future

Early childhood education (ECE) is the first sector to be scrutinised by the government’s new Ministry of Regulation. Learn more

kindergarten children playing in green back yard

Kindergartens Decry Government Moves To Cut Pay

decades of progress has been reversed as the government’s move to reduce qualified relief and fixed term teachers’ pay to the minimum wage takes effect. Learn more

two kindergarten children playing with toy cars on a deck

Kindergartens Dismayed By National’s Plan To Scrap 20 Hours Free To Two Year Olds

The National Party’s plan to fund tax cuts by wiping the 20 hours free early childhood funding for two year olds is a dismaying and backwards move Learn more

Budget funding delivers an effective cut to early childhood education

Kindergartens Aotearoa urges the Government to focus future spending on a holistic approach to families to ensure that all children have a great start in life. Learn more

Kindergartens Welcome Increase In Focus On Children

We welcome the government move to increase benefits in six weeks’ time, with all benefits going up by $20 a week, and further increases next April bringing total rises of up to $55 a week. Learn more

two kindergarten children playing on a deck

Early Childhood Education – A Tangible And Positive Difference For Children

We welcomes the Government announcements relating to early childhood education. Learn more

group-of-kindergarten-children-in-sandpit

Family Boost Policy Could Miss Target Group

We welcome the news that the government is trying to help parents with childcare fees but is concerned that many families will miss out because of the way the scheme is designed and administered. Learn more

Advocacy