A new report, released this morning, shows the vast majority of parents want free early childhood education (ECE), not more tinkering around the edges of a broken system.
"Parents want the best for their children, and in ECE, that starts with a model that holds tamariki at the heart," says the Green Party's Early Childhood Education spokesperson, Lawrence Xu-Nan.
"The latest Kōriporipo Early Childhood Education Parents and Whānau Survey Report 2025, which received almost 500 responses, paints a clear picture for what whānau want out of early childhood education.
"Whānau are demanding a shift away from profit-driven ECE provision. They want early childhood education to be seen as a public good.
"There is no need for ECE to be big business. Funding intended for educating our tamariki should go to our children and the educators supporting them, not corporate shareholders.
"Our Green Budget will ensure all government funding for ECE will be focused on public provision of quality care for our children, not private profits. To be eligible for higher funding, ECE providers will need to transition to a non-profit, community-based model. This means over four years ECE will become free for whānau and parents, for up to 35 hours per child per week.
"Our kids aren't for profit. Parents already know this, now our policymakers need to listen," says Lawrence Xu-Nan.
Notes:
- 78.2 percent would support the establishment of a public early childhood education system that is free to attend, just like schools are.
- 95.6 percent think that early childhood teachers deserve to be paid at least the same as primary school teachers.
- 76.9% of parents agree that 'Capping fees at $10 per day per child would have a positive impact for parents/whānau with children in early childhood education services'.
