However New Zealand’s National party early childhood minister, Anne Tolley holds an opposing view toward sustainable research evidence, that shows higher educated teachers are providing better quality care and education for young children in early childhood services. Tolley argues there is not enough evidence to show that 100% teacher qualified centres are providing better quality and care than 80% qualified centres.

Kiwi blogger, David Farmer (2010) explains that a skilled qualified teacher is invaluable in observing a child and then knowing how to extend the child’s learning. Although unqualified teachers play a different type of role in a centre compared to a fully qualified teacher, theirs is still a worthy role.

Anne Smith (2010), member of ECE Taskforce, stated there was also little evidence to argue that 100% qualified centres are not better than 80%. ECE Task Force stated in 2011 that, “The result of sustainable evidence based on well-designed longitudinal research studies and cost benefit analysis reveals positive, long-term effects for individuals who have experienced high quality early childhood education compared to individuals who have not” (p.21). This quote shows that through research, children who are under the care of trained early childhood teachers “have slightly higher scores on indicators to do with independence and concentration (which maps on to self-control, a strong predictor of later success in life)” (Meade et al., 2012, p. 100-105).

The ten year strategic plan aimed to improve the likelihood of centres around New Zealand better implementing Te Whᾱriki effectively.  To ensure this, the strategic plan outlined a set of policies around quality and qualified teachers.

Here is some further reading, this article was in the New Zealand herald just under a week ago, in regards to call of inquiry into the quality of early childhood settings in New Zealand: Further reading http://www.nzherald.co.nz/education/news/article.cfm?c_id=35&objectid=11436312

Meade, A., Robinson, L., Smorti, S., Stuart, M., Williamson, J., Carroll-Lind, J.,… Te Whau, S. (2012). Early childhood teachers work in education and care centres: Profiles, patterns and purposes. Retrieved from https://ecnz.ac.nz/assets/RelatedDocuments/Early-Childhood-Teachers-work-in-education-and-carecentres-web-090812.pdf

Smith, A.B. (2010). Defining quality- implementing and holding onto it. Retrieved from www.beststart.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Anne-Smith- NZEI-ECE-Hui-Oct-2013.

Farmer, D. (2010). Do three year olds need 100% teachers? Retrieved from http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2010/05/do_three_year_olds_need_100_teachers.html

ECE Taskforce. (2011). An agenda for amazing children: Final report of the ECE Taskforce. Retrieved from http://www.taskforce.ece.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Final_Report_ECE_Taskforce.pdf