Pay rise for early childhood staff

More than a thousand early childhood education staff have ratified a collective pay agreement which will give them 4 percent pay rises over each of the next two years.

The Early Childhood Education Collective Agreement is one of the largest multi-employer agreements in New Zealand, involving 145 employers who operate early childhood services.

One of the key issues for early childhood teachers was pay parity with kindergarten and primary teachers, said the teachers' union, the NZEI.

"This agreement demonstrates a commitment from all parties to continue working towards parity," said union spokeswoman Hayley Whitaker.

"These employers are clearly committed to ensuring their staff are valued as professionals and to providing quality education for children."

The first pay rise takes effect on July 1 next year.

- NZPA