Recent reports have highlighted what many in the sector already know - the early childhood education (ECE) landscape in New Zealand is under immense pressure. Rising operational costs, funding challenges, and staffing shortages have created a perfect storm, with predictions that hundreds of centres could face closure in the year ahead.
While these headlines sound worrying, they also serve as a reminder of why partnerships matter more than ever. At Prospero Teaching New Zealand, we believe that strong relationships - not transactions - will carry our sector through these uncertain times.
Prospero was founded on a simple belief: people are at the heart of education. We don’t just fill vacancies; we connect communities. Every kaiako we place and every centre we support plays a role in shaping tamariki and the wider community. That’s a responsibility we take seriously.
Our consultants take the time to understand each centre’s unique culture, staffing structure, and long-term vision. By doing so, we ensure every placement contributes to lasting stability - not just short-term relief.
We pride ourselves on being partners, not suppliers. Our approach goes beyond recruitment - it’s about supporting centre leaders to overcome challenges, plan for the future, and keep their doors open.
Whether it’s providing advice on staffing strategies, helping with compliance, or finding the right kaiako when it feels impossible, our goal is to ease the burden that many ECE leaders are carrying.
We work alongside you, not above you. Together, we can create sustainable solutions that make a real difference.
Prospero Teaching is part of the wider Prospero Group, an established global education recruitment provider with more than 25 years of experience. Our New Zealand team was founded in 2018 and proudly supports centres nationwide - from Cape Reinga to Bluff.
Through our international networks, we have access to qualified, passionate educators across the world, many of whom are eager to contribute to New Zealand’s early learning sector. For centres holding AEWV accreditation, this means access to a global talent pool that can help fill long-standing vacancies and stabilise your workforce.
We recognise that times are tough. Budgets are tight, and leaders are being asked to do more with less. But we also know that the ECE community is resilient, resourceful, and full of heart - and so are we.
Our mission is to stand beside you through it all:
· Offering flexible, affordable recruitment options tailored to your centre’s needs
· Providing trusted, vetted educators ready to make a difference from day one
· Delivering end-to-end support, from interviews to compliance and beyond
· Focusing on long-term relationships, not one-off placements
We live and breathe education - it’s what drives us every day.
If your centre is feeling the strain of staffing or financial uncertainty, you’re not alone. Prospero Teaching New Zealand is here to listen, support, and help you find practical, people-centred solutions that make sense for your community.
Let’s work together to protect what matters most - quality early learning for every child in Aotearoa.
He waka eke noa - we are all in this together!