NZCTU Submisson on the Early Childhood Education Taskforce Consultation Report - August 2011

The message from the ECE taskforce report that the returns from quality early childhood education are high and long lasting and result in long term positive outcomes is welcomed.

But there must be continued government investment in quality ECE services to meet the growing demands from changed social and labour market patterns.  The provision of ECE is also a human right for young children. Equity funding mechanisms should provide for hard to reach groups and disadvantaged communities

The regulation of an 80 percent level of qualified teachers in ECE services is supported and is a positive step towards the goal of a 100 percent qualified ECE workforce. Pay rates and working conditions in the ECE sector are issues of oversight and responsibility of the government. Collective bargaining and union action has been an effective and important mechanism for raising pay levels and improving working conditions and the quality of ECE services. 

Policies and provisions should be strengthened to enable employees to manage competing obligations of parenting and employment including improved paid parental leave provisions.

See below to download a full copy of the CTU's submission.