Early Childhood Education: Are calls to cut regulations really what the sector needs?

We are halfway through the year, but there have already been a number of confronting headlines about early childhood education providers in 2025. 

Earlier this year, the Herald ran a number of stories about children “escaping” from centres around the country. 

And in the last week, two coroners reports have come out highlighting tragic deaths that befell two young children. 

The news comes after a review by the Ministry of Regulation into ECEs and how they operate, with another review just announced by the Education Ministry into funding coming next. 

Today on The Front Page, we are discussing what’s happening with rules, regulations and funding with Dr Sarah Alexander, chief advisor to the Office of Early Childhood Education.  

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You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

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