National Party pledges to ban screens in early childhood classrooms and add readiness checks

The National Party’s education policy calls for a complete ban on digital screens and individual devices in early childhood education, and tight restrictions for Years 1 to 3, while older primary students would face age-based limits. It would also introduce a school-start check at the end of early childhood education, not as a pass/fail test but as a tool to highlight missing basic skills like independent toileting, dressing, and pencil use.

The party argues that many new entrants lack these fundamentals, including the ability to identify letters in their own names. Parents would receive progress reports on developmental milestones, and children needing extra help would be referred to the Early Intervention Service. Additionally, the writing component of twice-yearly primary assessments would be required on paper. Education spokeswoman Erica Stanford emphasized a shift toward books, handwriting and face-to-face interaction, while still allowing technology to support learning rather than dominate it.