Teacher-Led Early Childhood Education: The Cornerstone Of Our Future

New Zealand Kindergartens (NZK), a for-purpose ECE Peak Body representing 19 of the 27 local Kindergarten Associations across the motu, acknowledges the Government’s commitment to modernising the Early Childhood Education (ECE) regulatory system through the reforms announced today.

Chief Executive Officer, Jill Bond, says that NZK welcomes efforts to streamline compliance, reduce duplication, and introduce more proportionate enforcement tools that support safe, quality education. However, she emphasises that the foundation of quality early learning is not regulation alone—it is the strength, skill, and professionalism of the workforce.

“The reference to possible legislative change within the Education and Training Amendment Bill raises serious concerns for us. Any dilution of the qualified, teacher-led workforce would be a regressive move with long-term consequences for tamariki, and the nation as a whole”.

“A system underpinned by qualified, registered teachers is not negotiable. The evidence is unequivocal: children who attend quality, teacher-led ECE achieve stronger educational, social, and emotional outcomes throughout life. Investment in qualified teaching at the earliest stages of learning is not just good policy—it is smart economics, and the cornerstone of effective social investment” says Ms Bond.

“ECE is the launchpad of lifelong learning and wellbeing. A qualified teacher doesn’t just care for a child—they understand how children learn, how to build responsive and inclusive environments, and how to ensure every tamaiti has the best possible start.”

The Kindergarten model - teacher-led, community-embedded, committed to equity, and steeped in the Froebelian Principles - has been part of Aotearoa’s educational identity for more than a century. We know from generations of experience, and national and global research, that this approach sets children up not just to succeed, but to thrive.

As government proceeds with reform, we urge caution and collaboration. We must not sacrifice quality and equity for expediency. We call on Ministers to reaffirm their commitment to a qualified teacher workforce, and to work alongside the sector to ensure changes lift outcomes, not lower standards.

This is a pivotal moment. What we choose to protect and invest in today will shape the futures of our children, whānau, and communities tomorrow.

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