ECE updates#
Changes to funding conditions of ECE pay parity scheme from 1 July#
The Associate Minister of Education, Hon David Seymour, has agreed that funding conditions of the ECE pay parity scheme will change from 1 July.
The changes mean that education and care (including hospital-based) services participating in the pay parity scheme may determine the initial salary step for newly certificated teachers from 1 July. Certificated kaiako | teachers who are new to working in the New Zealand ECE sector are also covered by the changes.
Changes to the funding conditions of the pay parity scheme will last for two years, from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2027. Services receiving parity and extended parity funding rates will be unable to opt into higher funding rates during this time.
Information about changes to funding conditions can be found in the ECE Funding Handbook at:
3-B-2 Education and care services
Chapter 9: Completing the RS7 return
Last opportunity to opt into higher funding rates#
The 1 July 2025 RS7 return salary scale attestation, or the July 2025 advance payment attestation, will be the last opportunity for services to opt into a higher funding rate until 30 June 2027.
Keep the following information in mind if you would like to change your service’s minimum salary scale:
- To change your pay parity minimum salary scale attestation for the July funding round you will need to email [email protected] to obtain an EC20a form before 5pm on 9 June.
- You need to return your completed EC20a form by 5pm, 13 June to make a change.
- All certificated teachers | kaiako must be paid the adjusted (higher or lower) parity minimum salary scale from 1 June if changing your July advance funding attestation.
- Any changes you make need to be consistent with your teacher employment agreements.
Pay parity opt-in scheme for education and care services
For additional support or if you have questions not answered above, contact us.
Email: [email protected]
