Parents may end up footing a higher bill for childcare as a shortage of teachers in the sector stretches on. Some centres are forking out nearly double the average hourly wage on relief teachers, according to the Early Childhood Council, which represents providers from across the sectors. One of the major issues affecting staff recruitment and retention is pay - and this was thrashed out last night at a meeting in Wellington. Chairing that meeting was Dr Sarah Alexander, CEO of Child Forum. She joins Kathryn to discuss what's at stake, along with Peter Reynolds from the Early Childhood Council and Anna Ryder who owns and operates Ruru House in Taranaki.
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