Understanding the 2025 ECE Pay Parity Changes: What Educators Need to Know

As of 1 July 2025, significant changes to New Zealand's Early Childhood Education (ECE) pay parity scheme are set to take effect. These adjustments, introduced by the Ministry of Education, aim to provide more flexibility to education and care services but have raised concerns among educators and stakeholders.

What Are the Key Changes?

1. Determination of Starting Salary Steps

From 1 July 2025 until 30 June 2027, education and care services that have opted into the pay parity scheme can determine the initial salary step for:

• Newly certificated teachers.
• Certificated teachers new to the New Zealand ECE sector.

This means services are no longer required to consider higher qualification groups, previous relevant work experience, or recognised service when setting the starting salary for these teachers. However, they must still pay at least Step 1 of the minimum salary scales.

2. Two-Year Moratorium on Salary Scale Changes

A two-year moratorium will prevent services that have attested to paying permanently employed certificated teachers at Parity or Extended Parity salary scale amounts from moving to a higher salary scale after the July 2025 funding period. This moratorium applies from 1 July 2025 until 30 June 2027.

Reactions from the ECE Community

These changes have elicited mixed responses:

• Educator Concerns: Some early childhood teachers and managers express apprehension, fearing that the ability for centres to set lower starting salaries may lead to decreased wages and undervalue experienced educators.
• Sector Challenges: The ECE sector is already grappling with teacher shortages, low enrolments, and insufficient government funding. The recent changes add to the uncertainty and stress within the community.

Our Commitment to Educators

At Prospero Teaching, we understand the concerns these changes may bring. Our commitment to you includes:

• Competitive Compensation: We ensure that our educators are compensated fairly, reflecting their qualifications and experience.
• Diverse Opportunities: With a broad client portfolio, we offer various roles across different centres, providing flexibility and choice.
• Supportive Environment: Our team is dedicated to supporting you through these transitions, offering guidance and assistance in navigating the evolving landscape.

Stay Informed and Connected

We encourage all educators to stay informed about these changes and reach out with any questions or concerns. Our team is here to support you every step of the way. For more detailed information on the pay parity changes, please refer to the Ministry of Education's official documentation.