Children should have access to ece

A new report into ECE calls for every child to have access to ECE as of right, and for the government to take responsibility for planning a national network of services.

The report called “Strengthening Community-based ECE in Aotearoa – NZ” has been written by two of the country’s most highly regarded early childhood specialists – the Dean of the University of Otago College of Education Helen May and Linda Mitchell from the University of Waikato’s School of Education.

It sets out a vision for quality public ECE for 2020 and comes out of the Quality Public ECE Project, involving nine organisations representing a diverse range of services including education and care centres, kindergartens, playcentres and home-based services, as well as NZEI.

There is a wealth of research showing that quality ECE has a long-lasting effect on the educational outcomes for children.

Participation levels in ECE in NZ have risen dramatically in recent years, however those children who are most disadvantaged are those most likely to miss out.

There are still large gaps in the quality provision, accessibility and affordability in many communities. The community sector would like to serve those communities, but lacks the capital to expand.

This report recommends lobbying and developing policy for a national approach to the provision of ECE. Strengthening community-based services to provide more opportunities for all children would be a key focus.

NZEI president Frances Nelson says ultimately the report calls for an expansion of free provision of ECE as a fundamental right.

“ECE provides the foundation for all future learning and families in all types of communities should have the right to access high quality services. This report is significant for that vision,” she says.