Manukau Shows Leadership In Early Childhood Education
A Summit has been called in Manukau to address poor participation rates of children in early childhood education in
Manukau and shortages of early childhood education places in the city.
“Despite significant injections of funding for new services, there remains a chronic shortage of early childhood
education places in parts of the city,” says Bernardine Vester, Chief Executive for COMET, which is hosting the Summit
on behalf of Manukau City Council. “There is also a large number of families who do not access services, a shortage of
qualified staff, and real concerns about the capacity of centres to deliver quality services when they are under the
pressure of change. Early childhood education is so important to students’ achievement at school that it needs to become
a city priority.”
According to a stocktake released by COMET last October, there are 41 different areas across the city where there are
shortages of services.
“The 20 hours free policy has only recently been introduced. While it is pleasing to hear that many families using
services are much better off, there is both an up-side and a down-side to the policy. The evidence is mounting that the
policy is impacting on the availability of services, especially when we need to encourage more families to participate
in early childhood education,” says Bernardine Vester.
Bernardine Vester believes that poor participation rates and shortages of services can only be addressed by “whole of
community” approaches. “The encouragement to participate needs everyone to work together. Manukau City is committed to
supporting this approach alongside the Ministry of Education, and the community is invited to be part of the
discussion.”
Summit participants will be invited to endorse early childhood education as a strategic priority and to suggest
appropriate Action Projects for consideration by a Taskforce.
Summit Details: TelstraClearPacific Events Centre on 4 April. To be opened by the Associate Minister of Education, Hon
Parekura Horomia, and addressed by the Mayor of Manukau, Len Brown from 8:30am. Registration cost: $25, includes lunch
and morning and afternoon tea. Go to www.comet.org.nz for registration details.
ENDS