Early childhood education – an investment in our future

Early childhood education (ECE) is the first sector to be scrutinised by the government’s new Ministry of Regulation. The review of regulations explores several questions including who is receiving the benefits of regulations; who is bearing the costs; and are the benefits reasonable, affordable, and proportionate to the costs? 1 The short answer is our children benefit from regulations; government, families and whānau share the cost; and the overall benefits far outweigh the costs. The evidence is in the research. But the outcome of the review could be very different depending on whose interests take priority. Recent comments have highlighted differing views about regulation – some arguing it subjects ECE service owners and providers to comply with ‘burdensome’ rules while others see the review as an opportunity to improve regulation. Regulations ensure ECE services meet the intent of government policy and are accountable for the use of public funds. Current policy is based on research to ensure children’s interests are paramount in the operation of services. Regulations assure us that standards and protections are in place. The ECE regulations cover licensing requirements and standards. They set out staff qualifications (presently only 50% of adults need to be qualified teachers); the number of adults to children according to the age of the children; and the size of a group (presently up to 150 children over the age of two years in one group). Qualifications, ratios and group size are in the frame for the review - some argue all should be pared back or be removed completely. ECE in Aotearoa is world-leading. We have had our own curriculum Te Whāriki for almost 30 years. Te Whāriki supports children to be “competent and confident learners and communicators …. secure in their sense of belonging and in the knowledge that they make a valued contribution to society.” Dozens of advisory, reference and working groups have examined the research to identify key factors underpinning quality services to develop policy and to recommend regulation to give that effect. The evidence shows quality is about the relationships and connections children have with each other and with the adults around them. It is about the learning environment which is age-appropriate, stimulating and safe. Quality is about what structures are in place to optimise children’s learning: qualified teachers, good adult to child ratios, and appropriate group sizes.

Over 160,000 children attend an education and care service or kindergarten every day. Qualified teachers are essential to ensure the maximum benefits of ECE are realised. Teachers hold a degree – the same as teachers in schools. Teachers know and understand how children learn, and how to assess and progress children’s learning. They know the curriculum and provide rich learning environments. Teachers maintain high ethical and professional standards. They are legally required to maintain currency of teaching knowledge and practice. Although ECE teachers teach younger children, it is not any less important or influential than later in a child’s life – the evidence speaks for itself. The Ministry of Education cites research that links participation in ECE to better social and economic outcomes for children later in life such as higher earning, reduced reliance on welfare programmes and lower crime rates. It says children generally have better developed social skills before starting school and perform better in maths, reading, communication and logical problem-solving during their school years. 2 Economics Professor James Heckman and others calculate for every dollar spent in ECE, society saves up to $16.00. That is a sound return on investment. The benefits of ECE are not only reasonable, affordable, and proportionate to the costs - they far exceed them. If the outcome of the review retains children at the centre of regulation and improves ECE in Aotearoa, our investment will be realised. We will welcome a fully qualified teaching workforce, better teacher:child ratios and appropriate group size. At a time when the government is wanting to improve educational outcomes, what better investment is there but to invest in high quality ECE services.

Amanda Coulston, spokesperson for Kindergartens Aotearoa - a collective of six regional kindergarten associations operating 260 ECE services nationwide, catering for 12,000 children and whānau and employing 100% qualified teachers.

1. Ministry of Regulation (2024) Terms of Reference for the regulatory sector review of early childhood education. https://www.regulation.govt.nz/regulatory-reviews/early-childhood-education-eceregulatory-sector-review

2. Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga Ministry of Education (2024) Education Indicator. Education and Leanring Outcomes. Early Learbgin Participation. May. www.educationcounts.govt.nz