Lower Hutt leads the way in ECE participation

Chris Bishop today congratulated Lower Hutt as it helped the Wellington region on becoming one of the first three in the country to achieve the Government’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) participation target.

The Wellington region has already achieved the 98 per cent participation target set by the Government for the end of this year, with Lower Hutt recording a participation rate of 98.1%. Mr Bishop says the Government’s focus on investing in kids early is showing dividends in the Hutt Valley.

“This is due recognition of the work that parents and ECE providers do in and around Lower Hutt,” says Mr Bishop.

“More of our kids are now equipped to do better educationally sooner than we had hoped. High participation rates in quality ECE are linked to better health, social and employment outcomes.

“Participation rates are at an all-time high and the Hutt Valley has shown tremendous improvement from 94.8% at the end of 2011.

“There is still more work to do. Participation rates of Māori and Pasifika lag those of the general population. We want to get these rates up to or beyond 98 per cent as well as every child deserves the opportunity for the best possible start in life.”

The other regions which have already achieved the 98 per cent participation rate are Canterbury (98.3 per cent) and Otago/Southland (98.1 per cent).

ENDS

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