Country Kindy, situated between Feilding and Palmerston North in Manawatū, has been granted a 12-week reprieve following a Ministry of Education decision to cancel its licence due to alleged curriculum violations. The Early Childhood Council (ECC) criticized the ministry’s action as “heavy-handed,” prompting Country Kindy to file an appeal.
Associate Education Minister David Seymour intervened, announcing on Tuesday that Country Kindy would remain operational under a ministry-approved stay for the next 12 weeks. Seymour expressed immediate concern upon learning of the initial shutdown decision and sought clarification from officials.
The government is currently conducting a sector-wide review of early childhood education to tackle issues of affordability, availability, and regulatory complexity. Seymour emphasized the need to streamline regulations to allow educators to focus more on children’s safety and learning, rather than administrative tasks.
SEE ALSO: Who Created the 4 Domains of Learning?
The ECC welcomed the ministry’s decision to grant Country Kindy a stay on the licence cancellation, allowing the centre to continue operating during the appeal process and address any outstanding concerns. ECC CEO Simon Laube praised Country Kindy’s supportive parent community, dedicated staff, and engaged children, attributing their ability to remain open to these factors.
According to Laube, this case serves as a cautionary tale for all early childhood education providers, highlighting the potential consequences of regulatory actions. He emphasized the ECC’s readiness to support its members in similar situations and called for a review of regulations and “disproportionate sanctions” affecting the sector.