A group representing mainstream pre-schools says teachers want to improve the way they work with whanau - but not all know how to.
The Childcare Association says an Education Review Office report which calls for improvements in the way early childhood education centres embrace Maori families, is a fair assessment.
Association acting chief executive Roimata Kirikiri says there needs to be more training and development and pre-school staff need support.
Ms Kirikiri says the teachers are receptive to learning about Maori culture and philosophy, but don't know how to go about it.
She says training should provided by the Ministry of Education.
Ms Kirikiri adds that some pre-schools also have their own money to pay for staff development, but they would first have to make it a priority for their teachers to learn how to adopt Maori culture and identity.
