Pay Parity
This is your comprehensive repository of information and guidance to navigate the complex and variable landscape of Pay Parity. Read through our press releases to follow ECC’s advocacy since the initiation of the policy, find our Pay Parity toolkit and calculator and revisit webinars we have run. Stay informed, make informed decisions and access vital support.
Navigating your Wages and Funding
The Pay Parity opt-in scheme is designed to address the wage disparity between certificated teachers employed in education and care services and their counterparts in kindergartens.
The scheme offers higher funding rates to education and care services that confirm they pay their certificated teachers in alignment with the unified salary scales as specified in Appendix Four of the Funding Handbook. By the start of 2024 there will be three different scales available: Pay Parity, Extended Pay Parity, and Full Parity.
Since its implementation in 2021, Pay Parity has posed a number of challenges for providers. The assessment of initial salary steps, the attestation progress, recordkeeping and verification emerged as key issues at the start of implementation.
The mechanics of the policy and concerns around the funding gap and the financial viability of centres have been central to our work.
As well as being a strong voice to government and the sector on this policy, we want to empower members with the knowledge, strategies and support necessary to navigate the challenges and opportunities posed by Pay Parity.
Member-only resources
Below is a sample of resources available free to members. Members can log in to the Member Portal to see the full list of templates, guidelines and other resources.
Request for more information - staff letter template
Pay Parity Steps 1-6 sample letter for staff
Extended Parity Steps 1-11 sample letter for staff
Full Parity - sample letter for staff
Letter to agencies - attestation of certificated teachers
Pay Parity and Extended Pay Parity Toolkit
Funding and Compliance Tool
Our Funding Options and Compliance Tool (previously called the Pay Parity Calculator) is a spreadsheet designed specifically for Education & Care services in New Zealand. This tool helps you confidently determine which pay parity funding option is most financially beneficial for your centre, while also calculating how many ECE qualified teachers you need to meet the 50% qualified staff requirement.
The tool is available for purchase on ECE Learning Unlimited with the inclusion of our "Pay Parity - Keeping Centres Ahead" webinar recording.
Phone: 0800 742 742
Email: admin@ecc.org.nz
Floor 1, Petherick Tower,
38 Waring Taylor Street, Wellington
PO Box 5649, Wellington 6140,
New Zealand