7014 (2024). Hon Dr Duncan Webb to the Minister for Regulation

7014 (2024). Hon Dr Duncan Webb to the Minister for Regulation: Is the Minister's statement that recent changes to regulations governing the Early Childhood Education Sector are a "down payment" on the upcoming sector review of Early Childhood Education regulations are consistent with his response to WQ29601 (2023) that "I do not intend to predetermine the outcome of those reviews," and if so, how?

Hon David Seymour: Yes. I have proposed a regulatory sector review for early childhood education and the Ministry for Regulation has started scoping and planning this work. But the review itself has not started and it has not made any recommendations yet. I have received strong messages from representatives of Early Childhood Education (ECE) service providers that the cost and burden of regulation is too high and getting in the way of the delivering affordable and accessible services for children and their parents. That is why I have acted quickly to reduce the immediate regulatory burden by: a. Removing the requirement, introduced in February 2023, to obtain network approval before establishing a new service; and b. Removing the requirement that from 26 August 2024, person(s) responsible in licensed ECE services must hold a full (Category One or Two) practicing certificate. It is clear that the ECE regulatory system is outdated and that further changes will be required. Identifying the precise nature of these changes and making them in a way that protects the health and safety of children, which is paramount, requires careful analysis and engagement with key stakeholders. That is why a review of ECE sector regulation will be the first review undertaken by the new Ministry of Regulation. I intend to make further decisions about changes to ECE regulations after considering the findings of the review.