Groups representing early childhood services and teachers are divided over calls for mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse but united in their belief that teachers need more training.
They say judging when to report a family to Oranga Tamariki or Police is a fine line and some worry compulsory reporting could damage relationships with families and be used to shut down early childhood centres.
Dame Karen Poutasi's report following the murder of five-year-old Malachi Subecz by his caregiver recommended mandatory reporting as well as compulsory training.
Here's education correspondent John Gerritsen
