Funding to boost early childhood education

Education minister Anne Tolley announced last month funding to assist 14 childhood education groups across the country. The grants will make more than 500 new early childhood places available.

More than $5 million has been allocated under the latest round of the Discretionary Grants Scheme. The funding will enable groups to plan and build new services and extend existing ones.

“The government is committed to supporting local communities to boost participation in ECE,” Mrs Tolley said.

“This is in line with government policy of boosting participation in ECE for Maori and Pasifika who have traditionally low participation rates.

“The funding is a direct injection to the front line and supports the work of community organisations providing quality ECE. By making these places available we will increase choices for parents, families and whanau.”

The Discretionary Grants Scheme has $14.459 million available each year for allocation over two rounds.

Successful recipients in this round were:

• Te Kohanga Reo National Trust – Okaihau Te Kohanga Reo.

• Ngati Hine Health Trust.

• He Puna Marama Trust – Mokopuna ECC Whau Valley.

• He Puna Marama Trust – Mokopuna ECC Morningside.

• Pepi Patch Charitable Trust – Pepi Bilingual ELC.

• Methodist Church of NZ – Akoteu Tokaima’ananga.

• Fiji Community Association of Auckland – Bula ECC.

• Te Kohanga Reo National Trust – Te Otinga Te Kohanga Reo.

• Franklin Kindergarten Association Inc. – Alfriston College ECC.

• Manukau Christian Charitable Trust – Sunshine Christian Preschool.

• Kaute Pasifika Trust – Hamilton Pasifika ECE Centre.

• Te Kohanga Reo National Trust – Te Taura Here I Te Ao Te Kohanga Reo.

• Wellington Kindergarten Association Inc. – Maraeroa Pasifika ECE.

• The International Muslim Association of NZ.

The next available round of the Discretionary Grants Scheme closes on Friday 24th April. 2009.

Further information and application forms are available at www.lead.ece.govt.nz