Anne Tolley

Wellington, Oct 29 NZPA - Early childhood education (ECE) centres have an extra two years to get most of their teachers registered, Education Minister Anne Tolley announced today.

The previous government had targeted next year for having 80 percent of ECE teachers registered, but that was not achievable and it had therefore been extended until 2012.

"I am confident that pushing out the timeframe will reduce the immediate pressure on teacher-led centre-based ECE services, while easing the demand for registered teachers in the short-term," Mrs Tolley said.

"This decision will help maintain high standards in early childhood education as we prepare children for lifelong learning, engage whanau in education and give parents the confidence to use ECE."

Childcare Association chief executive Nancy Bell said the move showed a "worrying loss of momentum" towards high quality ECE for all children.

"We expected some pragmatism around the 2010 target, however, we were encouraged by recent indicators good progress towards the 2012 100 percent qualified target," she said.

The sector would be "disheartened" having worked hard to meet the target.

NZEI national executive member Judith Nowotarski said having qualified and registered staff was a key indicator of quality ECE.

"We want assurances that (the government) will reinstate or continue with moves towards having a 100 percent qualified and registered workforce."

Labour MP Sue Moroney said the extension was "yet another cut back to planned improvements".

"If the Minister had bothered to consult parents and ECE providers, she would have heard that increasing the cap on ECE teacher students placements would have been more desirable than dumbing down the sector."