ECE Sector Review Changes An Opportunity For Innovation

A national home-based early childhood education (ECE) provider group welcomes today’s announcement that ECE sector review changes are to begin. This follows the Government’s agreement to progress all 15 recommended changes arising from last year’s ECE regulatory review report, the first major report from the Ministry for Regulation.

The report made 15 recommendations to modernise and simplify regulations across ECE so services can get on with what they do best – providing safe, high-quality care and education. Home-based early learning is specifically mentioned in the recommendations, with the review acknowledging the need for a strategic plan for home-based services that reflects operational needs and ensures future growth.

Erin Maloney, chair of the Home-Based ECE Provider Group and Managing Director of Tiny Nation is supportive of the review changes getting underway. “We’re excited to see action to implement the changes recommended, along with a commitment to consult with the sector as a part of this implementation. The changes signal an intention to strengthen the provision of early learning by providing clarity and lifting regulatory capability. This will make way for some much-needed innovation in a sector that has been bogged down in red tape for way too long.”

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The changes include introducing new licensing criteria for all ECE services by the end of September, following the recommendation to change or merge approximately three-quarters of the current licensing criteria. Maloney is supportive of this focus. “The regulatory and compliance tools we use in ECE are well overdue for an overhaul. For too long, providers have wrestled with different interpretations of the licensing criteria across Government agencies. Our provider group is looking forward to being a part of the consultation to test the precise changes and ensure that they’re fit-for-purpose.

“Everyone benefits when compliance costs are reduced, duplication is removed, and operational requirements are streamlined. We don’t need to have pages of repetitive, out-dated regulations to ensure quality and safety, we just need workable, clear and easy to interpret regulations that everyone understands. This is an opportunity to move with the times and enable innovation to happen in a way that doesn’t just mean adopting new technologies, but also fosters creativity, inclusivity, and responsiveness to individual learner needs.”

As for the strong focus on home-based ECE services in the changes that have been agreed by cabinet, Maloney believes that this is recognition of the important role home-based services play in meeting the diverse needs of communities. “It’s great to see a strong commitment to the growth of home-based services in the agreed changes and we look forward to the rollout of a regulatory framework that allows service providers to focus on what really matters, our children.”

Erin Maloney is the chair of the Home-Based ECE Provider Group and the Founding Director of Tiny Nation, a national home-based ECE service.

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