Critics Hit Out At Child Farms

Here's what the Herald on Sunday had to say about new large early childhood services, now that the regulations allow 150 children on a single license. 

Childcare centre operators are rushing to open so-called "megacentres" containing up to 150 children.

A regulation coming into force this week allows childcare centres to triple in size.

Even before the July 1 change, three companies have signalled to the Education Ministry they're keen to boost their centre sizes three-fold.

But critics are dubbing the big centres "child farms", as a survey finds 9 out of 10 parents and teachers oppose them.

The Education Ministry will allow centres to increase their rolls from 50 to 150, including 75 children aged under 2 years.

It says this will reduce red tape, by acknowledging big child centres are already disguising their existence by operating under multiple licences.

Education Minister Anne Tolley has said parents will not allow centres to get too big.

The Education Ministry's acting early childhood education head, Karin Dalgleish, said she had received three "expressions of interest" from centres that intended to increase their size