New Zealand has very poor standards for teacher:child ratios, and for space per child both indoors and outdoors. We have a particular problem however when it comes to improving ratios, as New Zealand has a serious teacher shortage, largely driven by these poor conditions. This conundrum needs a carefully considered, phased solution.

 

Ratios and group size are absolutely interconnected, and both have primarily to do with relationships. If ratios are reduced to the point where supervision is the main function, then quality of education and care will be very low.

 

Ratios alone cannot ensure that all children are in secure relationships with adults through the day. Large group sizes increase relationship complexity beyond a point that is manageable, and may see some children lost in the crowd.

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We also need to increase space per child, both indoors and outdoors.  New Zealand's indoor spare per child results in overcrowding, noise and stress, and compares very poorly against other nations. Our outdoor space per child is also inadequate, restricting physical development and seriously limiting or  preventing green space.

 

On this page we've given a preview of the proposed tables, but for a full explanation and rationale see the discussion documents (short and full versions) and video below. It's really important though to realise that these changes require funding, so please don't look at them as proposals under current funding.