Parents face months-long waits for childcare as centres close up

Mounting pressures on the early childhood sector is leaving some parents on months-long waitlists for a spot.

The Early Childhood Council, which represents around 1300 centres, warns closures could be in the hundreds before the year is up. ECC chief executive Simon Laube says it's the perfect storm of mounting costs and also instances where compliance managers are taking an overly strict approach against minor regulation breaches. 

The Ministry of Education says it is obliged to follow processes set out in legislation, and more often than not services can remedy the situation quickly.

Chief Advisor to the Office of Early Childhood Education Dr Sarah Alexander is of a different view. She believes giving leeway to breaches will drive health and safety standards down. 

Simon Laube, Sarah Alexander and centre owner Kelly Seaburg speak with Kathryn Ryan.