Calls to take early childhood teachers seriously

The New Zealand Educational Institute says there's a crisis in the sector, with teachers seriously underpaid.

President Liam Rutherford says early childhood education is crucial in the first one thousand days of a child's life.

He says early childhood teachers, who are registered under the teaching council, are paid much less than primary and secondary school teachers.

He says if the Government is serious about having a system which values Kiwi kids' education, teachers need to have fair wages.