Lifting investment in ECE

Lifting investment in ECE

“Lifting Government investment in high quality early childhood education is crucial to ensure five out of five young children succeed” said New Zealand Kindergartens Chief Executive Clare Wells.

“In 2010, kindergarten funding was cut by 14%. We had a small increase in 2011 and the equity portion of funding to support the Government’s goal to improve participation in ECE was increased last year. The funding rate today is just above where it was five years ago” said Clare Wells.

“We have made huge efforts to ensure we do not compromise quality, affordability or access to kindergarten while at the same time, have dealt with the pressures of reduced funding and increased costs such as insurance premiums and contributions to Kiwisaver” Clare Wells said.

“As community based, not-for-profit services, every dollar received goes into providing high quality education for young children. Kindergarten has no profit margin to trim” Clare Wells said. “We need to make sure funding keeps pace with the costs of providing the service and services remain viable across our diverse communities.”

Almost two thirds or kindergartens are in low and middle income areas. Any reduction in funding would have a direct impact on the very communities the Government is looking to ensure participate in ECE.

“We are looking to next week’s Budget to improve universal funding rates to ECE services in recognition of the financial pressures on families with young children and on ECE services” said Clare Wells.

ENDS

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