The University of Auckland has identified early childhood education (ECE) as vital for the recruitment, retention and success of staff and students, particularly women, Māori, pacific peoples and post-graduate students, many of whom are in the childbearing age group.

The findings are part of a strategic review of ECE centres, kohanga reo and kōhungahunga, in relation to the university’s strategic direction. The review was recommended by the Women Returning to Work project, a collaboration between the university’s equal opportunities office, human resources department, and the TEU.

A survey found that the university’s stated commitment to excellent standards in early childhood education was cited as very important by 89 percent of respondents, and important by 8 percent. However, a large number of respondents also expressed concern that the current ECE at the university did not meet quality standards.

The review also found that ECE has the potential to meet the needs of older staff and students with grand-parenting responsibilities, and that it had close links to the university’s own research goals and professional training agendas.

The review’s recommendations, which have been accepted in principle by the vice- chancellor, include a commitment to providing high quality ECE facilities on each campus for staff and student parents and caregivers – with an aim of reducing all waiting lists for places in ECE centres to no longer than 2 months. It also includes a series of pay and employment conditions to help recruit and retain high quality early childhood teachers, extended opening hours for ECE centres, and a commitment to affordable rates for staff and student at all centres.