Labour, the Green Party, and Te Pāti Māori are coming together to block the Government’s proposed changes to the Early Childhood Education (ECE) sector.
The Government is rushing through its Regulatory Review of ECE, with a bill set to be proposed in October that could harm our youngest children.
In response, the opposition parties, alongside NZEI, will hold public hearings across the country to gather feedback from those affected.
“Early Childhood Education lays the foundation for a child’s future. However, the Government’s approach prioritizes business needs and profits over children’s education,” said Labour’s education spokesperson Jan Tinetti.
“There is widespread concern that the Coalition Government’s review will hinder our children’s education. That’s why we are uniting to stop these potentially disastrous changes. We will listen to parents, families, teachers, and community members to understand the changes needed to prioritize child learning and development,” Tinetti added.
“If the Government truly wanted public input, they wouldn’t rush such an important process for our children’s future with only six weeks of consultation. This Government is not serious about meaningful consultation, so we must challenge their agenda,” said Tākuta Ferris, education spokesperson for Te Pāti Māori.
“Young children need excellent teachers who are well-supported and happy in their jobs for the best ECE experience. To ensure this, we need to improve teacher-student ratios, ensure teachers are trained and qualified, and provide fair pay. This review does not address these real issues but aims to allow big businesses to cut costs and worsen employment conditions,” said Green Party ECE spokesperson Teanau Tuiono.
Labour, Green, and Te Pāti Māori MPs will organize public hearings and roundtable discussions across Aotearoa, seeking input from teachers, parents, and families.