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A teachers' union is pressing the Government for a national network of public early childhood education centres, and lower teacher pupil ratios.
The union for early childhood and kindergarten teachers is also calling for efforts to produce more qualified early childhood teachers.
The New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI), which represents thousands of teachers in early childhood centres and kindergartens, says on one hand the Government is continuing to support the 20 Hours Free policy but on the other is not moving to lower ratios in some services as planned.
The union's call follows an announcement from Education Minister Anne Tolley of a series of changes to early childhood policies.
NZEI assistant national secretary Peter Monteith said the Government should be congratulated for continuing the commitment to providing 20 hours free education to all three and four year olds - despite removing the word "free" and renaming the policy 20 Hours ECE.
He said there was no doubt the policy had made early childhood education more affordable and participation rates had been significantly boosted.
But the NZEI believed that by not going ahead with dramatic improvements to teacher child ratios for children aged two to 2-1/2, the Government is sending a worrying signal.
The ratios were to drop from 1:15 or 1:10 to 1:5. The move was long overdue and came after long consultation with the sector, Mr Monteith said.
The change was to take effect from July 1 this year, along with an improvement for sessional services for older children where the ratio was to drop from 1:15 to 1:14.
"Any move to abandon the trend towards reducing ratios is a backward step and goes against best practice," Mr Monteith said.
"The differences may not sound like much, but the impact on quality education would be significant."
The 20 Hours ECE policy had further highlighted a shortage of quality early childhood services in many communities.
"Educational foundations need to be built in the early years and access to quality early childhood education is a critical factor,' Mr Monteith said.
- NZPA
