8 October 2004
Hon Jim Anderton, MP for Wigram, Progressive Leader
More Christchurch kids get a smart start
"The Labour Progressive government's latest funding investment of over $365,000 for expanding and modernising early
childhood education services, will ensure that more Christchurch kids are to get a smart start to their education,"
Wigram MP Jim Anderton, announced today.
Conductive Education Canterbury will receive $318,837 to build a new centre in Wigram, providing thirty new places for
young children; Avonside Early Childhood Centre gets $25,679 for health and safety improvements; University of
Canterbury Student Association is getting a planning grant of $15,000; and Te Whanau O Putaringamotu has a top-up of
$6,372 for its new building.
Wigram MP Jim Anderton says the total of $365,888 is part of the annual funding from the government's Discretionary
Grants Scheme.
The government will spend $451 million on early childhood education services in the 2004/05 financial year. That's an
increase of $135 million or 45 per cent since 1999.
"The Labour Progressive government strongly believes in providing opportunity for all. Getting more under-fives into top
quality early childhood education is a high priority in providing educational opportunity for our young New Zealanders,"
MP for Wigram, Jim Anderton said.
Research shows that regular and high quality early childhood education makes a noticeable and positive impact on a
child's educational success. The Discretionary Grants Scheme gives more children the chance to gain from the benefits of
quality early childhood education, giving them a leg-up to future achievements.
"We're focussing on early childhood centres in areas of highest need, aiming the funding at people from low
socio-economic and rural backgrounds," Jim Anderton, Progressive leader said.
ENDS