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March 1, 2017. By Dr Sarah Alexander. Former centre manager Garrett Kett has done what few others have dared to do and that is question
Recognition of primary, secondary, and overseas early childhood teaching qualifications for work in a licensed ECE service in New Zealand – and the key pathways, requirements, and considerations for anyone wanting to enter the sector with an existing qualification.
ANALYSIS/OPINION – June 26, 2025.
The Government spent 13% more on funding early childhood education last year than in 2023, but three out of the top four not-for-profit provider groups got a smaller portion of the pie.
The two largest privately-operated provider groups – BestStart and Busy Bees – received slightly more funding (proportionately) year-on-year.
New Shoots Children’s Centres had the highest amount of funding per individual service in the group ($31.26M for 16 services, or just under $2M per service).
Whānau Manaaki (Wellington) Kindergarten Association, Auckland Kindergarten Association and Central Kids Kindergarten Trust (Waikato/Bay of Plenty) all got smaller proportions of funding than they did over the previous 12 months.
(See charts and tables below for more details.)
Supporting family culture, values and beliefs is central to caring for and educating young children. Yet early childhood services often recognise some cultural and religious practices while overlooking others.
This article explores why that happens, the key questions educators should ask, and the practical ways services resolve differences in belief and celebration. We’ll consider what celebrations mean to families, tamariki and communities, and outline how services can respond respectfully and thoughtfully.
FULL REFERENCE: Tiko, L. (2025). Strengthening policy implementation and system coordination for equitable early childhood development in Fiji. NZ International Research in Early Childhood Education Journal, 27, 83-96.
ABSTRACT: This paper critically explores the challenges and opportunities in strengthening policy implementation and system coordination for equitable Early Childhood Development (ECD) in Fiji. It interrogates the effectiveness of the 2024 to 2028 National ECD Policy and the 2025 Pre-Primary Policy, focusing on persistent disparities in resource distribution, professional development, and infrastructure between urban and rural ECE centres. The paper highlights fragmented inter-ministerial coordination among the Ministries of Education, Health, and Women and Children, revealing operational silos and inconsistent planning mechanisms. Situated within the broader context of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the analysis emphasises the importance of culturally grounded, community-led approaches rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems. The commentary calls for a paradigm shift in ECD policy implementation, one that centres equity, resilience, and local agency to build inclusive and sustainable early childhood systems across Fiji and the Pacific.
KEY WORDS: Early Childhood Development, Policy Implementation, System Coordination.
Log-in to read the full research paper below. Or order a pdf copy of the article from the main NZIRECE Journal page.
Introduction
Strengthening policy implementation and system coordination is central to achieving equitable Early Childhood Development (ECD) outcomes in Fiji. As the nation advances its commitment through the 2024 to 2028 National ECD Policy and the 2025 Pre-Primary Education Policy, the urgency to bridge the gap between policy aspirations and practical realities becomes increasingly evident. These policies mark a strategic shift toward holistic child development, yet their success hinges on effective inter-ministerial collaboration, equitable resource distribution, and culturally responsive implementation.
Fiji’s ECD landscape is shaped by the complexities of being a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), where geographic isolation, climate vulnerability, and socio-economic disparities pose unique challenges. Fragmented coordination among key ministries, Education, Health, and Women, Children and Social Protection, has led to operational silos, inconsistent planning, and uneven service delivery, particularly in rural and maritime regions. Moreover, the lack of shared accountability mechanisms and integrated data systems continues to hinder progress.
Parents negotiating fees can put pressure on your pricing policies.
Learn how to hold the line on fairness and why a carefully chosen discounted spot can sometimes be smarter than leaving a space empty
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