"But it's happening for all the wrong reasons and I'd like to see how we can work in more with those childcare providers including home-based, who support kindergarten as part of their service delivery," she said.
"I think the situation Heretaunga is now facing has become inevitable given the funding freeze and cut in 100 per cent qualified teachers.
"There's only so long you can survive on reserves, this has been a long slow burn under the National government to slowly bleed our kindergartens dry, until they reach breaking point."
Mr Foss said under the National government, ECE funding had more than doubled since the 2007/2008 financial year to $1.8 billion in the 2014/15 financial year.
"Per-child ECE funding in New Zealand is among the highest in the OECD. For every $1 parents contribute to ECE, the Government contributes $4.80."
Ms Lorck - past president of Hunterpark Kindergarten, and member of the Te Mata and Mahora Kindergarten communities - said kindergartens were an integral part of the education landscape, and needed all the help they could get to keep them "funded at 100 per cent".
"Unless we stand up for quality ECE with 100 per cent fully qualified teachers, we will lose all that's great about kindergarten and the integral part they play in education and in our local community."
Mr Foss noted the funding model was changed in 2011, and said there had been a significant increase in ECE providers since.
"I am sure community based services are adjusting their models to parents' needs and circumstances."
Ms Lorck said her party had a strong record on early childhood education, and remained committed to investing in "100 per cent fully qualified teachers".
Over time, she said they hoped to raise the current minimum qualified staffing level from 50 per cent to eventually 100 per cent.
"Every parent should have every confidence that their child is receiving a quality pre-school education that ensures they are best prepared, ready and eager to learn when they start primary school."
Mr Foss said he was glad Hawke's Bay parents now had flexibility and choice in where they sent their children - "from traditional kindergarten to kōhanga reo to the many various preschool opportunities".
"I would oppose and I am sure parents would reject any suggestion by a political party, to take away parental choice of what ECE is best for their children."