National network needed to meet fuelled demand

NZEI, the union representing early childhood teachers, is welcoming figures released by the minister of education, which show a big boost in participation rates in ECE, through the 20 Hours Free policy.

A year on from the launch of the policy, the minister has announced that over 85,000 children are benefitting and nearly 80 per cent of services which are eligible, are involved.

NZEI applauds the clear commitment from the government to quality ECE, through increased funding for centres which have achieved 100 per cent registered teachers.

This is a clear signal to centres that quality is important and the increase in funding will reinforce the goal of having qualified teachers providing programmes for pre-school children.

It is also in sharp contrast to the National Party’s EC policy which would move away from the goal of having a fully qualified early childhood workforce by 2012.

“In order to continue to build a quality EC sector, the goal of 100 per cent teacher-led services is essential,” says NZEI president Frances Nelson.

“ECE is arguably the most important education of all, providing the foundation for all future learning.

“If the education sector is to successfully deal with student under-achievement which we know is predominantly in lower-socio-economic areas, the foundations need to be built in the early years and access to quality ECE is a critical factor,” she says.

The 20 Hours Free policy has fuelled demand, and this has meant many children cannot access quality ECE because of a lack of resources.

Earlier this year a Salvation Army state of the nation report said children in predominantly low income areas are missing out because there are big discrepancies between the availability of EC places in poor urban suburbs and more affluent areas.

“What is needed is a planned national network of ECE centres and more qualified EC teachers. The 20-hours-free policy is a significant milestone in improving affordability and participation, and public provision of 100 per cent teacher-led services is needed to ensure that the demand is met,” says Ms Nelson.