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Unfunded minimum wage increase to hit early learning budgets

Early learning providers have no option but to absorb the government’s unfunded minimum wage increase into budgets already stretched to breaking point.“Everyone wants to see early learning workers paid what they deserve, but this increase will have significant knock-on effects. It seems the government hasn’t thought it through properly for early learning,” said ECC CEO Simon Laube.“Many centres will have some of their team on minimum wage - those increased costs are likely to come from...

Auckland early learning centres can open for any parent who needs it

The Early Childhood Council is advising Auckland parents to check with their early learning centre to see if they’re open before travelling to drop their children off.“Unlike schools, essential workers’ children can attend early learning. The definition of essential workers isn’t restricted like it was during COVID. Any child whose parent needs them to physically attend ECE for reasons like work, staying home pumping out flood water, attending to whānau or providing community support fo...

ECC Calls On The Government To Play Its Part On Early Learning Fair Pay

“The early learning sector provides public good through choice in quality early learning for our children, and enabling working parents to contribute to the economy.”"The many providers struggling to stay viable need clarity and assurance the government will be part of the solution on fair pay," said ECC CEO Simon Laube.Deep seated pay issues have led to the ongoing teacher shortage. With Pay Equity, Pay Parity and now Fair Pay Agreements in the mix, it's in everyone's interests to fully con...

Not Even Auckland City Council Can Make Pay Parity Economic

Kauri Kids’ future is being reviewed as part of a Council cost-cutting review, with a decision set for Wednesday 14 December.“Everyone in early learning’s thoughts are with the children whose early learning is set to be disrupted, and their parents who may have to change routine or stay home from work while they find new care. This is the kind of low-cost or free early learning that’s absolutely needed in our communities, seeing its future up in the air is tragic,” said Simon Laube, EC...

Funding For Pay Parity Is Needed By Christmas, Or More Centres Will Close

48 early learning centres closed between March-July 2022, 11 of those closed centres did not even try to opt-in, and a further 35 centres opted-in then opted straight back out (but remain open, for now), showing the Pay Parity funding rates are unworkable.“Some providers are finding there’s no point opting into Pay Parity - how else can you explain the surprising number of providers opting out so soon? We said Pay Parity won’t work before the last budget and sadly, the numbers back this up...

Lack Of Early Learning Funding Relief Will Lead To More Centre Closures

“Centres struggling with high staff absences and low attendance are in the dark, wondering if much-needed help is on its way,” said ECC CEO Simon Laube.The government has provided limited funding relief for centres hit by high staff absences and low attendance through the COVID and flu waves, but won’t clarify if it will continue or be cut off.“The government acknowledges there is a problem, but the current response doesn’t go far enough. Meaningful steps around discretionary hours, fu...

Early Learning Resilience Being Severely Tested

“Our sector is happy to play its part in re-opening the economy, but we’re under pressure on multiple fronts. Fewer children can attend in Level 3, which creates staffing challenges and can make reopening impossible,” said Early Childhood Council CEO Simon Laube.Yesterday’s move to expand bubbles from ten to 20 children will mean more juggling for Auckland and Waikato centres in Level 3, but falls far short of what the ECC recommended. On top of this, mandatory vaccination requirements i...

75% Of Early Learning Providers Worse Off By Accepting Pay Parity Offer

Damning feedback shows the offer designed to close the gap between kindergarten and centre teacher pay is missing the mark, including:- 75% of respondents said the Minister’s increased funding rates would not cover the increased staff wages costs for their centre- The average shortfall between Pay Parity increased funding and new wage rates was $35,000- 70% of respondents said the last-minute adjustments to the offer made no difference to their decision, even though removing the top pay band w...