Peter Reynolds
Should we think about making universal free childcare?
New Zealand has some of the most expensive childcare in the world - more than 10 percent of parents spent more than $200 on it every week. Peter Reynolds from the Early Childhood Council joins the… Audio
Early childhood teacher shortage bites
Parents may end up footing a higher bill for childcare as a shortage of teachers in the sector stretches on. Some centres are forking out nearly double the average hourly wage on relief teachers… Audio
ECE centres fear widening pay disparity with kindergartens
Early childhood services are worried their teachers will be left behind if kindergartens win the same big pay increases as school teachers.
The Educational Institute is negotiating with the Education… Audio
Daycare hours
An Auckland daycare centre has taken a child off its roll because his parents wouldn't send him for the minimum 7 hours a day.The Mighty Minds Educare in Penrose seems worried about how the paperwork… Audio
Early childhood education ignored by govt - council
Early childhood educators say the government is ignoring a shortage of teachers in the sector, putting $10 million towards recruiting more school teachers but giving nothing to them. The Early… Audio
Children waiting too long for disability diagnosis - kindergarten boss
Preschoolers with disabilities are waiting on average three months for specialist help and in the Wellington region the delay has blown out to more than six months. The Education Ministry says waiting… Audio
Early childhood suffering teacher shortage
Early childhood leaders are warning of severe teacher shortages. They say some early learning centres are struggling to hire enough qualified teachers to meet minimum staffing levels. And they warn… Audio
Mother fears for disabled son without a teacher aide
An Auckland mother fears her four-year-old son will be confined to the corner at his creche, unable to learn because of what she says is a lack of teacher aides available for disabled students. Lucy… Audio
Budget unfair and dismal for ECE sector
Early childhood educators say the budget is unacceptable and doesn't cater for a growing number of enrolments. Audio
Early Childhood Council says no need for 'police state' on jab
The Early Childhood Council says there's no need for compulsory vaccination for all children at early childhood centres. Audio
MPI defends new food safety rules despite criticism
The Ministry of Primary Industries says early childhood centres shouldn't accept the skyhigh fees and should be contacting MPI. Verifications should take two hours and probably cost less than $500. Audio
Early childhood centres unhappy with MPI's food safety rules.
The chief executive of the Early Childhood Council says cash strapped childcare centres are being quoted thousands of dollars to have their kitchens inspected under the Government's new food safety… Audio
Police vetting delays cause grief for early childhood centres
Delays in police vetting for early childhood staff are causing headaches for early childhood centre managers. Audio
Early Childhood educators welcome more special needs funding
Early childhood centres say increased funding on under 5's with special needs will make a huge difference, as many centres currently have to turn those kids away as they don't have the resources to… Audio
Govt failing children with special needs
The head of the Early Childhood Council Peter Reynolds has delivered a blistering attack on the Education Ministry's lack of support for under-fives with special needs. Audio
P-smuggling pre-school worker allowed to keep teaching
A pre-school teacher who smuggled methamphetamine into the country to feed her habit has been allowed to continuing teaching. Audio
Education and charity sector worry about cost of police checks
Schools and charitable organisations say that a proposed law which would see them pay for police checks could cost them thousands of dollars a year, leaving them to choose between footing the bill or… Audio
Opposition to police charging for vetting checks
There is continued unhappiness with government legislation which will allow police to charge a fee for carrying out vetting of teachers. Audio
Insight for 16 February 2014 - Education Solving All Ills?
John Gerritsen considers the political spotlight on education and asks if it can do all that's being asked of it? Audio
Early childhood group says government decision irresponsible
The Government has abandoned a review of home-based learning and a leading early childhood group says that leaves thousands of children with sub-standard education and care. Audio
