Cabinet agrees to enable nature-based early childhood education

Official release

The Government is taking steps to formally recognise and enable nature-based early childhood education in New Zealand, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says.

“I’m pleased to announce that Cabinet has this week agreed to establish a legislative framework for nature-based early childhood education, giving these services a clear pathway to operate and grow in New Zealand,” Mr Seymour says.

“Nature-based early childhood education embodies the Kiwi spirit. It celebrates the outdoors, encourages children to explore the natural world from an early age, and uses our unique environment to deliver the important learning experiences that early childhood education provides.

“New Zealand is blessed with an extraordinary natural environment. It makes sense that our youngest New Zealanders should have the opportunity to learn and develop in it.

“Early childhood education has been taking place in nature for decades, but some services have existed in a regulatory grey area. This has created uncertainty for providers and families, and limited the ability of the sector to grow.

“Internationally, there is a strong body of evidence supporting nature-based early childhood education and the positive outcomes it can deliver for children’s learning and development.

“Rather than forcing every early childhood service into the same mould, the Government wants to enable innovation and give parents greater choice over the kind of education their children receive.

“Nature-based education is an idea that has historically enjoyed strong support from across the political spectrum. I hope that spirit of cooperation will continue as we work to give these services the legal recognition they deserve.

“Cabinet has agreed that legislation will be drafted so that a Bill is ready for introduction early in the next Parliamentary term, following the election”. There will be an opportunity to provide feedback on the Bill during the Select Committee process.

“Bespoke regulations, licensing criteria and funding conditions for nature-based ECE services will be developed as the Bill progresses through Parliament. I expect to undertake public consultation on detailed proposals for the regulations early next year.

“This is about removing unnecessary regulatory barriers, backing innovative educators, and giving more Kiwi kids the opportunity to learn, play and thrive in the great outdoors.”

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