Feedback on early learning regulatory framework

21 December 2020

Early learning regulatory review – opportunity to comment on Tranche One consultation by 12 February 2021

The Ministry of Education is reviewing its regulatory framework for the early learning sector. They’re consulting the public on the changes they’re proposing, and we want to make sure that the Ministry hears ECE teachers’ voices loud and clear. 

What is the regulatory framework and how does it affect ECE teachers?

The regulatory framework is broken into three tiers:

  • the parts of the Education and Training Act 2020 that define different types of ECE services, and empowers the Government to develop regulations and criteria for the sector.
  • the Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008, which establish the licensing process and set the minimum standards that all ECE centres must follow.
  • the ECE Licensing Criteria, which are used to assess whether centres comply with the minimum standards set out in the regulations.

The regulatory framework affects ECE teachers because it sets the rules and standards that ECE centres have to follow. ECE teachers have first-hand experience of how well these rules and standards work.

What changes is the Ministry of Education proposing?

Because the regulatory framework is big and complex, the Ministry is reviewing it in tranches. They have just released the Tranche One consultation document, which has 11 proposed changes.

Of the 11 proposed changes –

  • 8 relate to application fees, issuing licences, and timeframes associated with the issue of licences
  • 2 relate to health and safety changes
    • creating written directions for health and safety matters that require immediate attention (Proposal 3)
    • increasing the minimum room temperature from 16 degrees to 18 degrees Celsius (Proposal 8)
  • 1 relates to consolidating the existing ‘person responsible’ requirements (Proposal 10)
    • this involves changes to Schedule 1 of the Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008 about qualification requirements.

Check out the Ministry’s webpage about the review and to view the Tranche One consultation document and the draft Regulations.

How can I share my thoughts?

The Ministry’s deadline for feedback is Friday 12 February 2021.

There are a few ways you can share your thoughts. First, read the consultation document provided by the Ministry. Then:

and /or

  • Contribute to the Teaching Council’s submission to the Ministry of Education by:
    • Emailing letstalk@teachingcouncil.nz by midnight Sunday 17 January with your comments.

 The Teaching Council’s submission will focus on issues as they impact on teachers, and not necessarily on those issues that impact only on service providers.