A large number of early childhood centres are concerned about opening when the country moves to alert level three

Only children of parents who are essential workers can attend pre-school, and the Early Childhood Council has surveyed its members to see how they feel.

CEO Peter Reynolds says 74 percent of people surveyed said they were nervous, or only 'OK' about opening.

He says nobody has done this before, and centres are doing all they can to provide safe environments.

He says opening with low numbers gives centres a chance to embed their new ways of operating before shifting to level two.

From Wednesday, Kindergartens will operate - even if only one child turns up.