1. JOHN KEY (Leader of the Opposition) Link to this
to the Prime Minister
Does she stand by her statement that the costs of early childhood education will be lower “for all New Zealand families with the implementation of up to 20 hours free early childhood education for 3 and 4-year-olds beginning in July next year”?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY (Minister of Education) Link to this
In June last year a joint statement was issued by the Minister of Education and me, which said: “The Labour-led Government is also working towards lowering the costs of early childhood education for all New Zealand families with the implementation of up to 20 hours free early childhood education for 3 and 4-year-olds beginning in July next year.” I stand by that statement. From July this policy will be able to immediately lower the costs of early childhood education for families with 3 and 4-year-olds enrolled in a teacher-led centre.
Can the Prime Minister confirm that under her Government’s 20 hours policy, parents will be asked to pay optional charges for the so-called free care the kids receive, and when is she going to admit to Kiwi mums and dads that her promise of free childcare is nothing but another Labour Party cruel hoax?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
Twenty hours free has to mean 20 hours free. What is being paid for with this money is up to the regulated level of care. Very few centres ask for or deliver more than above the regulation, but some do. For example, they might take children on outings to a zoo or whatever, and they may arrange an optional charge for parents for that.
Tim BarnettWhat responses has the Prime Minister seen to the policy of 20 hours of free early childhood education?
Hon Brian Donnelly Link to this
Why, if the 20 free hours policy is about increasing participation and quality in early childhood education, are playcentres and parent-led kōhanga reo excluded from the policy, simply because they are not teacher-led?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
The policy is for 20 hours of free early childhood education in teacher-led centres. That is because the costs of providing early childhood education also rise with registered teachers. As the member will know, when the policy first came out, those in the playcentre movement welcomed it and agreed with it, because they rely on a volunteer base and their costs are in administration—which is what we have given them $4 million towards. I should also point out that kōhanga reo are eligible for the policy if they have teacher-led centres, and many of them do.
Has she seen warnings from the Government’s early childhood education advisory committee that parents who do not sign up to pay the so-called optional charges may be subject to “back-door exclusions”, and that their kids could remain on waiting lists until their parents agree to cough up the cash?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
I have seen that. It is not the advice that will be put into action anywhere in this country. I met yesterday with all of the early childhood sector, and overwhelmingly they are reporting that their members are keen to take this up, come 1 July.
Has she seen further advice from the advisory committee that optional charges “will lead to a two-tier sector” with free childcare at the “low end” and fee paying at the “top end”, and will not such a two-tier system perpetuate the growing underclass in New Zealand?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
The shrinking number of people who are in situations of disadvantage in the country will enjoy the policy of 20 hours of free early childhood education. I pointed out to the member before, on behalf of the Prime Minister, that the overwhelming majority of centres now—if he cares to go and visit one—are providing a service that is within the regulated level of early childhood education. Very few charge for more. Optional charges can be for such things as going to zoos, but this rate will cover quality education in those centres.
Is it not the case that parents who do not sign up to pay additional “optional charges” for the 20 free hours will not be able to enrol their kids, who will end up being relegated to the waiting lists of over-subscribed services; is this not just another example of Labour leaving those who are most in need out in the cold—and I am surprised the Minister is not in McGehan Close with the Prime Minister today, playing catch-up? [ Interruption]
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
If I could just get a word in edgeways, I would tell the member that if he went to any early childhood centre he would find that they do have rules there that say one has to be quiet for a wee while.
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
They are better behaved than that member. Can I say in answer to the first question from Mr Key that the answer is no. Can I say in answer to the implied second question that the only way people will miss out on 20 free hours is if there is ever a National Government, because it would scrap the policy.
How will this policy help the kids who need education most, when only one in eight in Manukau childcare centres surveyed by the Early Childhood Council have committed to offering the 20 free hours; and is it not a hoax to tell those in South Auckland—those most in need—that their community will not be providing services?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
It is worth pointing out that the early childhood survey the member is referring to was of a potential 600 respondents, 42.9 percent of whom responded. They responded in January. They have not really even discussed the issue with the Ministry of Education yet. What I can tell him, for example, is that the New Zealand Childcare Association told us yesterday that 90 percent of its members have already indicated that they are in the process. Barnardos has said that all of it members are in the process—and this is still just the beginning of the year. I am sorry that the policy is working, but it is.
Hon Dr Michael Cullen Link to this
Does the Minister take it from the thrust of Mr Key’s questions that he is calling for even larger increases in spending in early childhood education, and is he aware that yesterday at the Finance and Expenditure Committee Mr English called for large reductions in Government spending?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
I am aware that the co-leadership of the National Party do find it difficult to stay on the same script. So, yes, I am aware that Mr Key, in his efforts to hug Labour, is offering the same policy that Mr English is, at the same time, undermining in select committees.
I seek leave to table the minutes from the early childhood education sector meeting that show that the practical consequences of the Government’s 20 free hours policy will not work, that parents will be put on waiting lists, and that young New Zealanders will not get the opportunity to join the scheme.