2. DIANNE YATES (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Education
What support is the Labour-led Government providing to increase the availability of quality early childhood education?
Hon CHRIS CARTER (Minister of Education) Link to this
This month the Prime Minister and I announced $6 million of new funding to build new, or expanded, early childhood centres across the country—around 20. Four of the centres that will receive funding are in Māngere, which has been identified as a priority community for new services. Among them is the Akoteu Lotofale’ia early childhood centre, which the Prime Minister and I visited, and which is using a $470,000 grant to increase its roll by 50 percent. All of the centres funded will offer the Labour-led Government’s incredibly popular 20 free hours, and are part of a $90 million investment, through the discretionary grant scheme, by the Labour-led Government to build up the capacity of the early childhood sector.
What reports has the Minister seen about the impact of Labour’s excellent policy of 20 free hours’ early childhood education?
I have received an email from a parent that notes how important the policy of 20 free hours’ early childhood education is for her family. She said: “I am just wanting to write a note to thank the Government for the 20 free hours childcare initiative. Since our 3-year-old turned 3 in December the relief of our reduced kōhanga fees have already made a huge difference to our family and the things that we have struggled with. Thank you, thank you, thank you.” The 20 free hours policy is extremely popular with Kiwi families, so it is strange that National does not seem to have a position on it. Paula Bennett said National would scrap free early childhood education, and John Key said he would keep it. Which policy can we believe?
Paula BennettCan the Minister of Education confirm reports that at a recent early childhood sector meeting where he was being questioned on policy, he had to turn to his officials to ask at what age children have to start school?