ECE Parents’ Council

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The ECE Parents’ Council Aotearoa

ECE Parents' Council Aotearoa

We’re a non-political group representing parents and caregivers of children in early childhood education across Aotearoa New Zealand. We’re a voice for parents and their children on childcare and education provision, safety, and cost.

Parents, grandparents, and caregivers are welcome to join. Membership connects you with updates on national ECE issues, opportunities to share your experiences, and ways to advocate for safe, high‑quality early childhood education. Become a member (there’s no subscription fee).

Follow our Facebook page for updates and ways to stay involved.

Together, we can make sure children’s needs come first in early childhood services and in education policy.

  • How to Make a Complaint or Raise Concerns

    How to Make a Complaint or Raise Concerns

    How to Make a Complaint or Raise Concerns about an Early Childhood Education Service or Childcare (‘early learning’) Contents: 1. How to make a complaint to your service Every early childhood service is legally required to have a complaints procedure. You are not required to follow the service’s internal procedure – and there may be good reasons why you choose not to – such as fear of retribution from the service against…

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News stories, submissions, press releases, and presentations

Submission to Parliament’s Education and Workforce Committee on the Education and Training (Early Childhood Education Reform) Amendment Bill, 31 August, 2025.

News article: “Some ECE rule changes ‘dangerous’ – Dunedin“, 26 July 2025.

Press release: “Complaints about ECE Services Show Parents Feel Dismissed When Raising Concerns“, Monday 21 July 2025

Press release: Parents Reject ECE Deregulation: “Children’s Safety Is Not Optional“, Wednesday, 23 April 2025, 1:05 pm

Newspaper article: Wellington families pay more for childcare than rest of NZ, March 31, 2025

Press release on Minister Seymour’s Intention to Reduce and Eliminate many Standards: Parents Alarmed by Optional Standards Proposal, Wednesday, 18 Dec 2024.

Submission on Regulations: Our submission to the Ministry for Regulation, 30 August 2024.

News article: An early childhood centre in Rotorua, the Ole Schoolhouse, has won the inaugural Parents’ Choice Award out of more than 4,000 Early Childhood Education services across the country. SunLive – The Bay’s News First

Newspaper article: Teachers, parents fear review of early childhood education will be ‘wrecking ball’ for sector | Stuff

Newspaper article on childcare shortage: ‘Harder to find daycare than a job’: Mum’s 60km commute with two toddlers | The Post

Press release: Parents Expect Children To Have Fully Qualified Teachers But Are Often Short-Changed | Scoop News

News article: Overlooked’ parents form new ECE Parents Council | Stuff

Press release: Parents’ views are overlooked in early childhood education policy. But that is about to change with the formation of the ECE Parents Council.

Video: Parents and children can have horrific experiences in NZ childcare – Why as parents we need to know what’s going on and be listened to – youtube.com – ECE Parents’ Council Spokesperson addresses the 2024 National Summit on the Future for Children in ECE.

Press release: My ECE to Help Parents Make Informed Early Education Choices | Scoop News

Press release: Making Choices in Early Childhood Education a Gamble | Scoop News

More
articles

Parent information display on an early childhood centre wall (NZ)
Our Advocacy

Harder to Speak Up, Harder to Check: The End to Rules Requiring Display of a Complaints Procedure, Key Regulations, and Teacher Name and Qualification Info

The rules that once required centres to display key information – such as the names and qualifications of teachers, the regulations they must follow, and how to make a complaint (including concerns about breaches of regulation) – have been stripped back. What used to be visible at a glance will now sit behind layers of “ask us if you want it.”

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My ECE My Early Childhood Education
Making a Complaint, Raising Concerns, or Reporting a Serious Incident

Parent Complaint Form

Parent Complaint Form – For Raising Concerns at Your Child’s ECE Service Every licensed services, including early childhood centres and homebased ECE, must have an

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child complaint form
Making a Complaint, Raising Concerns, or Reporting a Serious Incident

Child Complaint Form

Child Complaint Form Support your child to make a complaint, using this child complaint form, and have their needs and wishes heard. This form is

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Infant with book
Our Advocacy

Submission to the Education and Workforce Committee on the Education and Training (Early Childhood Education Reform) Amendment Bill

ECE Parents’ Council Aotearoa represents parents and caregivers across Aotearoa New Zealand who are committed to high-quality, accessible, and safe early childhood education (ECE) for our tamariki. 

We oppose the Education and Training (Early Childhood Education Reform) Amendment Bill in its entirety and respectfully submit that it should not proceed.

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breach of trust crying sad child
Our Advocacy

Horrifying injuries, harmful sexualised behaviour and teachers talking about rape in front of children: What complaints about ECE services tell us about the state of the sector

A child escaping from a centre by digging under the fence, multiple instances of toddlers breaking bones twice in a matter of months, and allegations of inappropriate handling of a child’s sexualised behaviour are among complaints about ECE services made through MyECE, the website for the ECE Parents’ Council.

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Regulations, Rules, and ECE Service Legal Requirements

Licences and Licensing

What a licence is, the classes of licence, details shown on the licence which must be displayed, and the requirement for the licence holder to be a fit and proper person.

Here’s a full outline on what you need to know about licences.

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Family and parent involvement in their child's learning and early childhood education
Regulations, Rules, and ECE Service Legal Requirements

Who Can Be Authorised to Collect a Child or Do Pick-Up

Can an older sibling pick up their little brother or sister from the centre or service?
There are some specific rules on who can be authorised to do pick-up, under what circumstances, and the person’s age.
Here’s the full details on the rules.

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Early Childhood Education and Daycare - Reviews, Rating, and a description of the service's standards

Join the Parents Council

Are you are parent, grandparent, or caregiver of a child under 6 years?    

Join the ECE Parents Council.   You will receive:

  • A monthly newsletter (free)
  • Survey invitations and notifications of important changes in ECE

We promise not to spam you with rubbish, just useful information.