Foreword

The early years of a child's learning make a significant difference to the way they develop and go on to learn throughout their lives. Getting it right at this vital stage will build the lifelong foundations of success, not only for our children, but also for New Zealand.

The government's vision is for all New Zealand children to have the opportunity to participate in quality early childhood education, no matter their circumstances. Research shows that having access to quality education in early childhood offers the greatest benefits for the very children who are least likely to be attending (children from low socio-economic backgrounds).

If we are to build a strong future for this country, I believe we must firmly establish early childhood education as the cornerstone of our education system. Our social, educational and economic health can only benefit from efforts and resources focused on young New Zealanders. We cannot leave to chance the quality and accessibility of early childhood education.

This government is committed to ensuring all families have access to quality education services that are responsive to their needs and those of their children. Our commitment is reflected in this plan.

The Strategic Plan for Early Childhood Education represents a shared sector vision for the next decade. The plan provides us all with a road map for strengthening a diverse early childhood education sector where Te Whäriki is provided effectively.

This needs:

• early childhood teachers who meet and maintain the same professional standards as school teachers
• better support for parents and whänau providing early childhood education in licensed and chartered centres, home-based services and licence-exempt services
• better access for parents, families and whänau in both urban and rural New Zealand to quality early childhood education services that meet their needs
• more and stronger collaborative relationships between services and programmes for young families.

The government has worked alongside the sector, academics and parents in developing the plan. The Strategic Plan for Early Childhood Education working group, which included 31 representatives from across the early childhood education sector, undertook 15 months' consultation involving numerous meetings. This included several hui with Mäori, meetings in rural and urban areas, and several fono with Pasifika peoples. The working group's focus was on increasing participation, improving quality and promoting collaborative relationships. Over 1300 submissions contributed to the group's final report, which now forms the backbone of this plan and therefore the future direction of early childhood education.

I would like to thank the working group members for all their hard work and commitment. The energy and passion of chairperson, Dr Anne Meade, and the other working group members have resulted in the framing of a comprehensive vision for the future direction of early childhood education; a vision that is shared by most of a very diverse sector.

With the direction now set and the path clearly charted, the work remains. As with the development of the plan, successful implementation very much depends on the Government working closely with the early childhood education sector. We all have a role to play in seeing the sector as a whole progressing towards the goal of providing every child the opportunity to benefit from quality early childhood education.

Hon Trevor Mallard

Minister of Education