Recommendation 10 of the Early Childhood Education (ECE) regulatory review called for an amendment of regulations which would allow flexibility in the qualification requirements, and get more teachers into the sector.
Regulation Minister David Seymour said it was one of 15 agreed to by Cabinet, which aimed to modernise and simplify the regulations.
Dunedin Kindergartens chief executive Nicola Hogg said her organisation was "especially concerned" about Recommendation 10, which pointed to a relaxation of ECE workforce qualifications.
"This would be a huge step backwards," she said.
"We’re adamant that workforce qualifications should not be relaxed as it’s unequivocally clear that children who attend quality, teacher-led ECE achieve stronger educational, social and emotional outcomes throughout life.
"We stand strongly for 100% qualified teachers, and Dunedin Kindergartens will be taking all opportunities to participate directly in the next phase of the consultation."
Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand chief executive Kathy Wolfe said while her organisation supported the need to review the ECE sector, she was extremely concerned about the recommendation focused on teacher qualifications.
She said it did not provide sufficient detail to reassure parents or educators, and believed it might be "a cheap fix with a lifelong cost".
"It leaves open the concerning possibility that quality ECE may be sacrificed in favour of a cheaper option, much like the school lunch fiasco.
"To remove the need for qualified teachers or ‘dumb down’ qualifications does not solve the teaching shortage."
She believed the appropriate response was to put in place an effective teacher education workforce strategy.
"That means investing and supporting the teaching profession by ensuring initial teacher education is robust, committing to attraction and retention of qualified teachers, and focusing on conditions such as pay parity.
"Any moves to reduce the quality and training of the people that are looking after our tamariki is a massive backwards step in the education of our children."
She said the sector had fought long and hard to grow a qualified workforce, working towards the goal of 100% qualified teachers for more than 30 years.
"Qualified professionals are an absolute must-have if you want your children to receive the best care and education at the most formative time of their lives."
She called for Mr Seymour to "urgently discuss" the implications of the proposed changes with the sector and ensure there were practical solutions that did not put the safety, education and wellbeing of children at risk.
"The minister also needs to commit to quality ECE — not a version of the school lunch programme that sacrifices quality for cost."
Mr Seymour said the ministry surveyed people working in the sector and found they were encircled by multiple regulators enforcing out-of-date rules.
The proposed solutions were focused on child safety and were now being put into action.
He said part of the change involved amending laws, and the Education and Training (Early Childhood Education Reform) Amendment Bill would action many of the changes.
"The Bill will be introduced in July, and I expect it to be passed by the end of the year."
Mr Seymour said the ministry was now helping the agriculture and horticulture sector implement sector review findings, and progressing sector reviews into the hairdressing, barbering and telecommunications sectors.
"Every completed review makes it easier to do business, access services, and innovate in New Zealand.
"The ECE review is the first of many examples of what smarter regulation looks like in action."
