Parents deserve a voice in the future of early childhood education

1 October 2026

Te Rito Maioha calls on political parties to put quality, affordability and children at the centre of their ECE policies

Parents should make early childhood education an election issue, Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand says, as it launches five priorities for the next Government.

In an election manifesto for parents, A Great Start for Every Child, Te Rito Maioha sets out five priorities for early childhood education: better teacher-to-child ratios, a qualified and valued teaching workforce, affordable quality ECE, a funding system fit for the future, and protecting and strengthening the quality of New Zealand’s ECE system.

The organisation is also urging parents to ask political parties how they will ensure their children have access to high-quality, affordable early childhood education.

“Parents should not have to choose between affordability and quality,” says Te Rito Maioha Chief Executive Kathy Wolfe.

“Every parent wants to know that their child is safe, cared for and learning from qualified teachers who have the time to give them the attention they need.”

The call follows Wolfe’s opinion piece, Parents Deserve a Voice on the Future of Early Childhood Education, which argues that parents have a direct stake in decisions about ECE funding, teacher qualifications and ratios.

Te Rito Maioha says the election provides an opportunity for parents to ask political parties five straightforward questions about the future of ECE, including whether they will commit to a pathway towards a 100% qualified teaching workforce, make quality ECE affordable, adequately fund the sector and improve teacher-to-child ratios.

“The future of early childhood education will not be decided by politicians alone,” says Wolfe. “Parents have a voice, and we encourage them to use it.”

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Rob McCann - Lead Communications Advisor | Kaitohutohu Whakapā Matua
022 411 4560
rob.mccann@ecnz.ac.nz

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