David Seymour wants to reassure parents things have improved - despite new data showing growing workforce challenges in early childhood education.

Nearly 34,000 teaching staff were employed last year, but just over two-thirds were qualified.

Almost 10,000 staff had no formal qualifications - nearly double the number in 2011.

Associate Education Minister David Seymour told Mike Hosking that parents should know the number of teachers with formal qualifications has increased.

He says in actual fact the situation hasn't changed much in five years and has improved since they've been in Government. 

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