We are halfway through the year, but there have already been a number of confronting headlines about early childhood education providers in 2025. 

Earlier this year, the Herald ran a number of stories about children “escaping” from centres around the country. 

And in the last week, two coroners reports have come out highlighting tragic deaths that befell two young children. 

The news comes after a review by the Ministry of Regulation into ECEs and how they operate, with another review just announced by the Education Ministry into funding coming next. 

Today on The Front Page, we are discussing what’s happening with rules, regulations and funding with Dr Sarah Alexander, chief advisor to the Office of Early Childhood Education.  

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

We are halfway through the year, but there have already been a number of confronting headlines about early childhood education providers in 2025.&nbsp;
Earlier this year, the Herald ran a number of stories about children &ldquo;escaping&rdquo; from centres around the country.&nbsp;
And in the last week, two coroners reports have come out highlighting tragic deaths that befell two young children.&nbsp;
The news comes after a review by the Ministry of Regulation into ECEs and how they operate, with another review just announced by the Education Ministry into funding coming next.&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page,&nbsp;we are discussing what&rsquo;s happening with rules, regulations and funding with Dr Sarah Alexander, chief advisor to the Office of Early Childhood Education. &nbsp;
Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.
Host: Chelsea Daniels Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Ethan Sills

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald’s daily news podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what’s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future.

Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. 

Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald&rsquo;s daily news podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what&rsquo;s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future.
Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture.&nbsp;
Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Every day, The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald. Hosted by Damien Venuto

The Front Page

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald’s daily news analysis podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what’s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future. Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald&rsquo;s daily news analysis podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what&rsquo;s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future. Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Early Childhood Education: Are calls to cut regulations really what the sector needs? 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6a549c46-9ab9-4857-b46d-b2ff0038341e/transcript