Survey shows only 3 per cent of parents back Government’s early childhood agenda

Only three per cent of parents and whānau with children in early childhood education (ECE) have confidence in the ECE policy of the current government, according to a new national survey from education union NZEI Te Riu Roa. 

The NZEI Te Riu Roa Kōriporipo Early Childhood Education Parents and Whānau Survey Report 2025 reveals parents value high-quality, safe, culturally responsive ECE that is affordable and accessible to all tamariki.

“Every parent wants to give their child the best start possible and that begins with quality early childhood education,” says Rachel Graves, a mother of a preschooler.

“Qualified, experienced early childhood education teachers provide parents like me with the peace of mind of knowing my child is safe and can have positive, enriching learning experiences.”

“Quality education demands qualified teachers. We also need to have good ratios of teachers to children, pay parity for all early childhood teachers, and for the professional voice of qualified teachers heard and respected,” says kindergarten head teacher Virginia Oakly.

Teachers, parents, and child advocacy groups all recognise the importance of good working conditions, including pay parity for all early childhood education teachers – which has already been cut for certain early childhood teacher groups and is now under threat in the Government's ECE Funding Review.

Affordability is also a key issue, with more than 78 per cent of parents supporting the establishment of a public early childhood education system that is free, just like schools. 

Other key survey findings: 

•    96.9 per cent agree that experienced and qualified teachers are critical to providing high-quality early childhood education. 
•    95.6 per cent agree that early childhood education teachers deserve to be paid at least the same as primary school teachers. 
•    94.2 per cent worry about their child’s safety if the child-to-teacher ratio was increased. 
•    81.8 per cent have concerns for their child’s safety if the number of unqualified teachers relative to qualified staff increased. 
•    63.6 per cent of those whose children require learning support reported having difficulties in accessing the necessary help.
•    Only 3.3 per cent think the current government is taking early childhood education in a positive direction.