Enterprising Women
"We are heartened to hear that at the top of the list of initiatives in Ruth Dyson's Ministry of Women's Affairs
integrated plan to improve women's lives, is Promoting women's success in enterprise," said Sue Thorne, CEO of the Early
Childhood Council.
"However we suggest that Ruth Dyson have a wee whisper in the ear of her Cabinet colleague, the Minister of Education,
who at this very time, is embarking down his own policy track that is set to destroy the livelihoods and careers of
hundreds of enterprising women who manage early childhood centres," said Mrs Thorne
Why? Quite simply because the Minister believes + Education + Business = Bad.
Minister Mallard appears prepared to put his personal disapproval of private education before the needs of families and
in doing so will reduce affordability, access, and choice for parents and risk a return to backyard care arrangements
for the country's under fives.
"If the Ministry of Women's Affairs does have a useful role, then there can be no better time than now for this agency
to take action to affirm the contribution being made by women as enterprising providers of high quality early childhood
education," said Mrs Thorne.