9. PAULA BENNETT (National) Link to this
to the Minister of Education
How many early childhood education centres have opened this year?
Hon CHRIS CARTER (Minister of Education) Link to this
I am advised that 132 early childhood centres have been licensed this year.
Why did the Prime Minister officially open the Jump and Jive centre in Manukau in March this year, in a flourish of staged publicity, only to have it still closed today because of air pollution concerns that cannot be substantiated?
Our Prime Minister is a very regular visitor to early childhood centres and schools. This year, for example, the Prime Minister has visited over 40 schools or early childhood centres, including opening Whangamata’s free kindy in June, Mount Albert kindy’s new playground centre in September, and the Cambridge early learning centre in November. We are very fortunate to have a Prime Minister who is so interested in education.
What are the regulations around air pollution standards for early childhood centres, and why is Jump and Jive not open when it has had an independent report done that states that it is all clear?
All early childhood centres are required to have a health clearance. The Jump and Jive childcare centre, which the member refers to, has undergone that. There were concerns about air quality. The location of that particular centre, on an intersection, has raised those concerns, but I am pleased to tell the member that the ministry will be meeting with that centre tomorrow to discuss a health report that has just been done.
Dianne YatesWhat support is the Labour-led Government making available this year to increase access to early childhood education?
We are doing a great deal. We are providing $16 million this year to build new and expanded community-based early childhood services. We have, so far this year, allocated $9.6 million to create an additional 385 places. In the next few weeks I will be announcing further grants across the country for more spaces, in our very active programme of creating early childhood education for Kiwi kids. And, of course, we have our very popular and effective 20 free hours policy, which all 3 and 4-year-olds in New Zealand can access.
Hon Brian Donnelly Link to this
Can the Minister tell the House what effects upon the early childhood participation rates of 3 and 4-year-olds the implementation of the 20 free hours policy has had at this point in time?
I am delighted to do so. Over 77,000 children and their families are accessing the 20 free hours—[ Interruption]
Madam SPEAKERAll kindergartens are now offering this service. Forty-five kōhanga reo have now opted into the free early childhood education scheme, as well. Eighty-three percent of all 3 and 4-year olds enrolled in early childhood education are accessing the 20 free hours. This is a great policy, benefiting thousands of Kiwi families. Of course, the member who asked me a question earlier, Paula Bennett, said on Radio New Zealand National on 24 June that the National Party would get rid of the 20 free hours policy.
Did the Prime Minister insist that she would open the Jump and Jive childcare centre on 16 March only if stunt children were bussed in for her photo opportunity?
That is from the member who would abolish the 20 free hours policy! I remind the House again that our very busy Prime Minister has visited over 40 early childhood centres and schools this year.
Rodney HideI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. The entire ACT caucus is sitting here quietly, and we would just love to hear the answer to that question. We could not hear a thing, and we want to know about the stunt children.
Please be seated, Mr Hide. The member who is about to ask a question unfortunately has an extraordinarily loud voice, which does make it very difficult, on occasions, for others to hear. If members would please get themselves under control, I would ask Paula Bennett to ask the question, please.
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. With the greatest respect, the test is not whether you can hear the answer—
Well, it is partially, Mr Hide. Please sit down. Would the Minister please, in summary, address the question.
The only stunt being pulled is the silly question from the member. The Prime Minister was responding to a request from a private early childhood provider to open its centre. All arrangements to do with that were made by the owners of the early childhood centre.
Gerry BrownleeI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I think it is not unreasonable that the Minister does answer this question, and he is avoiding it.
I am sorry, Mr Brownlee, but I think that on this occasion he did actually address the question. He did address the question.
With all due respect, Madam Speaker, this childcare centre is not open because the ministry will not allow it to be. So the question relates to what happened on the day it was opened by the Prime Minister.
I am sorry, Mr Brownlee. Please be seated. Members are not always satisfied with the answers given by Ministers. The Standing Orders do not require them to be so. On this occasion the Minister did actually address the question. It may not have been to the satisfaction of the member, or it may not have been the answer the member wanted, but the Minister did address it.
Can he confirm that the Government used Jump and Jive childcare centre as a photo opportunity for its leader, even busing in stunt kids to try to make the photos look good, but will do nothing to help the centre, which has been closed for 9 months despite having met all the regulations?
I seek leave to table a transcript from Radio New Zealand National on 24 June 2007, which states that the National Party’s early childhood spokesperson, Paula Bennett—