The Ministry of Education has begun a comprehensive review of the early learning regulatory system. The Review’s purpose is to ensure that the regulatory system is clear and fit for purpose to support high quality educational outcomes for our youngest learners.
The Review will be completed in three tranches. The Ministry of Education consulted on the first tranche of the Review between November 2020 and February 2021.
The main aim of tranche one was to address some of the gaps in our current system including those that pose a risk to children’s health, safety and wellbeing. The proposals would most impact new early learning services, service providers that have a change in circumstance and services that have compliance issues.
Areas that require more work will be in later tranches. This will include addressing several commitments in the Early Learning Action Plan 2019-2029 and Review of Home-based Early Childhood Education.
The first round of public consultation on tranche two proposals took place between September and October 2021. Tranche two proposals relate to:
Implementing the new network management function.
Changes to qualifications requirement for all home-based ECE services.
Regulating for 80% qualified teachers and strengthening the person responsible requirement for teacher-led centres and hospital-based services.
Strengthening the person responsible requirement for home-based services.
The table below details advice provided that relates to this work.
