More paid parental leave best option for our babies

26 August 2015

Extending paid parental leave will give more children a better start in life particularly in light of a recent report which found that nearly half of early childhood centres did not provide quality learning for under-twos.

NZEI National President Louise Green says the ERO report, which showed that 46 percent of early childhood services are not doing enough to help under-twos learn, should raise a red flag for the Government.

"Quality early childhood education is vital, especially for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“That’s why we believe it is important that the Government supports Labour MP Sue Moroney’s Bill to extend paid parental leave to 26 weeks.

“There are many benefits from giving parents the choice of staying at home longer with their babies but we also need to ensure that all children get quality early childhood care and education.

"Sadly, the Government’s policies, which allow for as few as 50 percent qualified teachers in early childhood education, make it extremely difficult for centres to maintain quality.

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