20 Feb 2019

Childcare providers face qualification demands

From Morning Report, 7:27 am on 20 February 2019
Education minister Chris Hipkins launches the draft early childhood strategy at the Knox Church Playgroup in Lower Hutt.

Education minister Chris Hipkins launches the draft early childhood strategy at the Knox Church Playgroup in Lower Hutt. Photo: RNZ / John Gerritsen

All childcare workers looking after under five-year-olds in family homes will now have to have early education qualifications. Home-based carers look after 18,000 children and have the oversight of a qualified teacher, but most have no early childhood qualifications themselves. Now the government has announced carers must have at least a level four certificate in early education. Our education correspondent, John Gerritsen has more details.