Paula Bennett MP
National Party Associate Education Spokeswoman

(Early Childhood)

More ECE for South Auckland - about time

National’s Associate Education spokeswoman, Paula Bennett, is welcoming a first step towards boosting early childhood education (ECE) participation in South Auckland, but asks why it’s taken so long for Labour to act. 

She is commenting on a proposal to build facilities for ECE services at nine schools in South Auckland. 

“Research proves that some form of participation in ECE leads to more positive outcomes for children at school.

“National has long held concerns about low ECE participation rates in some areas, particularly among low-income families.  Too many children continue to be locked out of ECE. 

“Labour has failed to address this problem over the past nine years.  The 20 Hours policy addresses some issues but it has not resulted in big increases in the number of children going to ECE services. 

“Today’s half-baked solution, 17 days before an election, looks like little more than a last-gasp effort. 

“National’s policy is to boost participation in ECE by working with community groups, private centres, home-based providers, and local government to develop local solutions that best meet the early childhood needs of our communities.

“We support plans to invest government funds to provide facilities for ECE services at selected schools, but we are sceptical about Labour’s commitment to this proposal.

“I note that the nominated schools have yet to agree to the Ministry’s ideas, no one knows who is going to run the facilities, and there is no mention of involving community groups that are in touch with local families. 

“National will work closely with these schools, local ECE providers, and community groups to ensure boosting South Auckland children’s participation in ECE becomes a reality –not just an election-year ploy.”

Posted by Staff in National News at 12:01

Posted by Staff in National News at 16:34

Anne Tolley MP
National Party Education Spokeswoman

&

Paula Bennett MP

National Party Associate Education (Early Childhood) Spokeswoman

Survey: Labour’s 20 Hours Free is costing parents

National’s assertion that Labour’s 20 Hours Free ECE policy is a fraud has been proven true today with the release of a survey showing almost half of the centres taking it up are charging parents for the privilege.

The survey, by the New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER), validates National’s policy of removing the ‘free’ from the initiative and simply calling it 20 Hours ECE.

National’s Education spokeswoman, Anne Tolley, says: "The ‘free’ part of Labour’s policy has always been misleading. National changed the name because it wants to be honest with parents".

The survey says: ‘Forty-six percent of education and care centres, two of 10 home-based schemes, and 18 percent of kindergartens asked for optional charges. Many charged for excursions. Education and care centres were also likely to charge for additional staffing (above regulated ratios) and resources.’

Paula Bennett says: "Despite Labour’s rhetoric, this scheme has never been free. National is not only injecting honesty into the scheme, it is expanding it and enhancing it.

"We will make it more available to children by allowing kohanga reo and playcentres to take the scheme up.

"We will make it more flexible by removing the 6-hours-a-day limit, allow five-year-olds to be eligible, and investigate more frequent payment methods.

"And we will do all this without removing existing subsidies and fee controls.

"Labour has been dishonest and inflexible over early childhood education.

"We intend to put that right."

Posted by Staff in National News at 14:54