27 January 2014
Labour's pledge to invest more in children's earliest years will increase their opportunities for success at school and
in life, as well as addressing child poverty, NZEI Te Riu Roa says.
NZEI Te Riu Roa President Judith Nowotarski, who is a senior kindergarten teacher, says research clearly shows that
quality support for children and their families in the early years has the best "payback" of any education and social
investment.
"NZEI welcomes more direct financial support to families so that parents can chose to spend more time bonding with their
babies and toddlers and have less financial anxiety," she says. "We have been strong supporters of increasing paid
parental leave, because every teacher knows that parents are children's first teachers and the most important
influencers of their children's success in life."
"Extending free ECE from 20 hours a week to 25 hours a week will also assist families. We are very pleased that Labour
has committed to reinstating the policy of 100 percent qualified staff in all teacher-led services. This is an important
acknowledgement that our under-5s deserve high quality education."
She says public investment in community-based, not-for-profit ECE centres in areas of high need was also a sensible
investment of taxpayer dollars.
“Research shows that for every dollar spent on high quality ECE, more than $10 is saved in spending in the justice,
social welfare and health systems later in life.”
She called for swift implementation of the 100% qualified teacher target and associated funding, and for a comprehensive
approach to quality teaching and leadership in ECE from all policy-makers.
ENDS