Minister Seymour announced today that the Government accepted all 15 recommendations from the review report. The Ministry for Regulations delivered its final report on the review to the Minister for Regulation in December 2024.
The full report and a summary version, which includes a range of recommendations to modernise and simplify the ECE regulatory system, are available here: Early Childhood Education (ECE) regulatory sector review | Ministry for Regulation
The review involved a comprehensive regulatory sector review into early childhood education to assess whether regulations are achieving appropriate outcomes for the sector and are improving outcomes for our children.
Engagement
The Ministry for Regulation used a range of engagement methods to ensure all stakeholders, including ECE business owners, the Ministry of Education, unions, child advocacy organisations, research bodies, the ECE workforce, and parents and caregivers could participate. The Ministry for Regulation also worked with a range of representatives, sector groups and agencies during the review, including the Education Review Office.
Decision
23 April 2025 – Regulations Minister David Seymour announced today that Cabinet accepted all 15 recommendations from the review report. The recommendations aim to modernise and simplify regulation across the ECE sector by reducing compliance costs and headaches for providers, encouraging more providers into the market, and giving parents more choice. It will support services to get on with what they do best – providing safe, high-quality care and education. ERO is working closely with Ministry of Education to ensure we can deliver on the direction and intent of the review.
More information
ECE sector review changes begin | Beehive.govt.nz
Early learning regulatory work - Ministry of Education
Email reviews@regulation.govt.nz if you have any questions about the regulatory review.