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In some New Zealand towns families have just one option for full day early childhood education care for under 2-year-olds, while in other parts of the country they don’t have access to certain kinds of early childhood services (including free kindergarten, Playcentre or kaupapa Māori services) at all.

These are just some of our findings. Continue reading below for full details.

Toward the end of last year, the Office of Early Childhood Education undertook a project to analyse and map early childhood services across Aotearoa, identifying ECE “deserts” (large areas where families have significantly limited options).

This work drew on data from

Here, we sum up the major stories we’ve covered in the past year.

If we had to sum up what 2025 had in store for the ECE Sector in one word, it would be “flux”.

The sector has experienced rapid and significant change over the past 12 months and not all of it positive. There is still considerable uncertainty about what comes next.

To keep our members updated on everything they’ve needed to know about what’s going on in the sector, the Office of Early Childhood Education launched a newsroom, through which we’ve published articles regularly (usually weekly).

The surprise announcement left many parents stunned and some in tears.

Parents have criticised MIT’s decision and its impact on families and students

Seven people — five children and two staff — were taken to hospital. One was reported in a serious condition, while the others were described as moderate.

The role of Santa in ECE – Some things you might want to consider before inviting the “big man in red” to visit your service

Measles risk for 9,000 infants as ECE immunisation rules face change NEWS/OPINION – 30 October, 2025 With 13 confirmed measles cases in New Zealand and the

Majority of preschoolers still at risk of meningococcal B after free ‘catch up’ immunisation programme ends ANALYSIS/OPINION – 21 October, 2025 More than 200,000 toddlers and

Regulation review recommendations contravene children’s rights, says international ECE regulation expert NEWS/OPINION  – 30 September 2025. An international expert in ECE governance says the recommendations put

The Amendment will see major change to how regulations are enforced and softer consequences potentially for serious breaches NEWS – Sept 24, 2025. The Ministry

Oral submission to the Education and Workforce Select Committee on the Education and Training (ECE Reform) Amendment Bill Dr Sarah Alexander, Chief Advisor of the

The predicament has exposed a potential problem for an unknown number of early childhood centres (including kindergartens and care and education services, as well as Playcentres) around the country.