Paula Bennett MP
National Party Associate Education (Early Education) Spokeswoman
9 November 2007
New Minister should clarify answers
National Party Associate Education spokeswoman Paula Bennett says Chris Carter is dissembling.
"Only a couple of days into the job and he is trying to back away from Labour's unpopular policy to close Sunday schools
and other child minding services, like crèches at gyms.
"If the brand new Education Minister has changed Labour's policy on regulating all child minding services, he should
make that position clear. According to official answers, Sunday Schools are in the gun."
Ms Bennett is referring to media comments by the new Education Minister where he confirms that 'the Education Act
requires that early childhood centres, for the education of three or more children under six years of age, must either
be licensed or be premises of a kind exempt from licensing'.
"National has always recognised the difference between child minding and early education. Mr Carter obviously can't tell
the difference.
"What he might not know, is that I have asked multiple questions about this issue, and every one of the answers has been
consistent. Labour says if a complaint is received about unlicensed baby sitting they will act.
"Labour's instinct to regulate has been laid bare in the way they are planning to enforce these regulations. According
to Mr Carter and Labour one size fits all.
"Responsible parents understand the difference between child minding, Sunday Schools, the crèche at the local gym, and
early childhood education.
"Mr Carter's latest statement on this issue suggests he does not."
Ends
Parliamentary Questions – Sunday Schools
Question: Are there any plans to force Sunday schools and church childminding facilities to close unless they become
licensed early childhood centres under the Education Act 1989?
Portfolio: Education Minister: Hon Steve Maharey Date Lodged:10/10/2007
Answer Text: The Ministry of Education will work with any group in breach of the legislation, that is brought to its
attention, to ensure that they are aware of the requirements and their options to either license, operate as a
licence-exempt playgroup, or cease operating.
Attachment: None
Question: Will the Ministry of Education be writing to sunday schools and church childminding facilities advising them
that they might be closed down because they may be providing childminding facilities without being licensed to do so?
Portfolio: Education Minister: Hon Steve Maharey Date Lodged:10/10/2007
Answer Text: The Ministry of Education will work with any group in breach of the legislation, that is brought to its
attention, to ensure that they are aware of the requirements and their options to either license, operate as a
licence-exempt playgroup, or cease operating.
Attachment: None
Question: What do sunday schools and church childminding facilities need to do to become licensed or be exempt from
licensing under the Education Act 1989?
Portfolio: Education Minister: Hon Steve Maharey Date Lodged:10/10/2007
Answer Text: Groups meeting the definition of an Early Childhood centre in the Education Act 1989 need to apply for a
licence and comply with the provisions of the Education (Early Childhood Centres) Regulations 1998, unless they are
exempt as playgroups or under other provisions of the Act.
Attachment: None
Question: Further to QWA 16854 (2007) when is the new criteria actually going to be in place and in the mean time will
letters concerning licensing continue to be sent out?
Portfolio: Education Minister: Hon Steve Maharey Date Lodged:10/10/2007
Answer Text: Cabinet has agreed to the new regulatory framework for ECE services being implemented from 2008. Until that
time, the Ministry will continue to administer the provisions of the current regulatory framework.
Attachment: None
Question: Under what circumstances would a sunday school or church childminding facility be advised to close?
Portfolio: Education Minister: Hon Steve Maharey Date Lodged:10/10/2007
Answer Text: Where the Ministry of Education is made aware that one is operating according to the definition of an Early
Childhood centre but do not wish to be licensed, or do not meet licence-exempt playgroup requirements.
Attachment: None
Question: What criteria does a sunday school or church childminding facility have to comply with?
Portfolio: Education Minister: Hon Steve Maharey Date Lodged:10/10/2007
Answer Text: Sunday schools or church childminding facilities meeting the definition of an Early Childhood centre in the
Education Act 1989 must comply with the provisions of the Education (Early Childhood Centres) Regulations 1998. Those
not meeting this definition do not have to comply with any education legislation.
Attachment: None
Question: Will the Ministry of Education only be writing to childminding facilities in gyms, swimming pools, sunday
schools and churches that it has received a complaint about and will the Ministry turn a blind eye to the rest even if
they may be operating outside the regulations of the Education Act 1989?
Portfolio: Education Minister: Hon Steve Maharey Date Lodged:10/10/2007
Answer Text: If it comes to the Ministry of Education's attention that any group is operating outside the provisions of
the Education Act 1989, appropriate actions will be taken to ensure the group is aware of the Regulations and all of
their options.
Attachment: None
Question: Has the Ministry of Education offered to any childminding facilities in gyms, swimming pools, sunday schools
and churches that they may operate for 4 hours a week; how has this offer been made and does it cover all centres?
Portfolio: Education Minister: Hon Steve Maharey Date Lodged:10/10/2007
Answer Text: This provision of the Education Amendment Act 2006 is not yet in force. No offer has been made.
Attachment: None
Question: Further to the answer to question for written answer 16854 (2007). Has the Ministry of Education contacted any
sunday schools or church childminding facilities to discuss the review, if so what are the names of the sunday schools
and church childminding facilities that it has contacted?
Portfolio: Education Minister: Hon Steve Maharey Date Lodged:10/10/2007
Answer Text: No. However there has been public consultation regarding the review in which all groups are able to
participate.
Attachment: None
Question: How many sunday schools and church childminding facilities have closed down in the last 12 months due to not
meeting the criteria for exemption from the requirement to be licensed as an early childhood centre, and what are their
names?
Portfolio: Education Minister: Hon Steve Maharey Date Lodged:10/10/2007
Answer Text: None that the Ministry of Education has had contact with.
Attachment: None
Question: How many sunday schools and church childminding facilities are currently exempt from the requirement to be
licensed as an early childhood centre?
Portfolio: Education Minister: Hon Steve Maharey Date Lodged:10/10/2007
Answer Text: None. The only services exempt from licensing are those meeting the gazetted requirements to operate as
playgroups. Attachment: None
ENDS