3. DIANNE YATES (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Education
What reports, if any, has he received about improving quality in early childhood education?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY (Minister of Education) Link to this
I recently approved funding for six new centres of innovation that will support innovative teaching and learning in the early childhood sector. Since the programme began in 2002 the Government has invested over $2 million in 16 centres across the country. The first six centres have already reported substantial improvements in teaching and learning, which has attracted international attention. Along with the early childhood curriculum, Te Whāriki, this is yet another world-leading initiative that the Government has put in place around improving the quality of early childhood education.
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
Apart from the major manifesto commitment by the Government to provide 20 hours of free early childhood education to 3 and 4-year-olds, I would list the following initiatives: there have been an extra 2,615 registered teachers since 2003, a new funding system to recognise improved quality in services, 700 bonded scholarships that are worth up to $10,000 each, and an investment of $13.5 million in professional development. Those initiatives are part of $523 million invested in this year alone. This means that since 2002, when the early childhood strategy was started, funding has lifted by a phenomenal 60 percent, and it is forecast to increase by a further 57 percent by the conclusion of the plan in 2012.
Allan PeacheyIs the Minister aware that his Government’s early childhood policies have forced Clydemore Kindergarten in Ōtara to close, and have forced other kindergartens serving poorer communities to start charging fees for childcare that used to be offered for free; if so, how does he think that that helps underprivileged families who can no longer afford access to any childcare, let alone to his so-called quality childcare?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
The member might like to bring me the details of those individual cases. But I would say that that is curious against the backdrop of a 60 percent increase in funding since 2002 and massive increases in child subsidies through Work and Income New Zealand—the Working for Families package. Those are massive increases compared with what was done under the previous Government, and therefore I would like to have the details of those kindergartens or early childhood centres.
Is the Minister aware that the Government’s new requirements for the registration and training of early childhood teachers have created a huge shortage in experienced staff and that many centres are being forced to consider closure because of those difficulties; if so, how does he think that these new policies will improve the availability of early childhood education?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
As the member will know, the entire early childhood sector applauds and supports the early childhood strategy advanced by this Government. No one is offside with this strategy. The strategy includes the development of the workforce, including setting targets for registered teachers and bonding in terms of money being provided for people to be released in order to upgrade their skills. This is an extraordinarily well-supported policy.