More parents are complaining about early childhood education centres than ever before -- but most complaints aren't being upheld

The Ministry of Education received more than 430 complaints from parents and families last year -- double what it was previously receiving.

Canterbury parents were the most likely to complain -- at almost one in 10 centres, with complaints being upheld in about four-percent of cases.

Hawke's Bay centres were the most likely to have issues, with almost five-percent having complaints upheld.

Ministry deputy secretary Katrina Casey says every complaint is taken seriously, and services that fall of standards can be be shut down.