Early Childhood Education being targeted by National for funding cuts

The National Government appears to be eyeing Early Childhood Education for cost cutting, Labour Early Childhood Education spokesperson Sue Moroney says.

“Parents of young children will be anxiously awaiting the Budget in May to find out what cuts the National Government have planned for early childhood education,” Sue Moroney says. "If the Government cuts its contribution, then the cost will shift onto parents."

"National told New Zealanders last year that quality childhood education was a high priority, but today in Parliament Bill English said it is too costly for the Government.

“Today, Bill English would not guarantee the continuation of funding of those early childhood services that have 80-100% qualified staff ahead of next month's budget.

"Around 51% of early childhood services access this funding, despite the Government scrapping the goal of having 100% qualified staff in the sector by 2012," said Sue Moroney.

“Bill English has also indicated that National would not deliver on its 2008 election promise to improve early childhood education staff ratios for under two-year-olds. That's another election promise broken by this Government.

"The education and care of our young children is going backwards under Education Minister Anne Tolley's watch,” Sue Moroney said.

ENDS

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