Free ECE hours “works” for NZ’s largest in-home child care provider

New Zealand’s largest provider of in-home child care PORSE says government funding for 20 hours ECE is having a positive impact, refuting claims that the funding is inadequate, as reported in the media last month.

PORSE committed to 20 hours ECE for three and four-year-olds when the initiative was first introduced in 2005.

PORSE founding director Jenny Yule confirmed that the policy is achieving the government’s aim of increasing participation in pre-school education of three and four-year-olds in neighbourhoods with greatest need.

“The growth of our services in lower decile areas, such as Manukau shows that the message of providing three and four-year-olds with a rich early learning programme prior to starting school is working.”

PORSE’s expansion of services throughout NZ is in direct contrast to Barnardo’s reported closures in the Rodney district due to the costs associated with offering free places to three and four-year-olds.

The report comes just weeks after home-based provider Easy Mind was put into liquidation affecting families throughout the country.

Ms Yule suggests that home based services facing financial or resource difficulties in light of the free 20 hours ECE may need to review the structure of how they deliver services and not blame the “free” policy.

“In contrast to large group childcare where children have multiple carers, home based services need to expand, to give families more options when choosing a person who fits with their family and cultural values.”

Further comment made by the Family Day Care Association that capacity for providing care for under 2’s had been reduced by the policy is also questioned by PORSE.

Ms Yule agreed that the demand for care for children over three had increased in-line with the “free” funding but that had not stopped the ability of PORSE to also care for babies and under 3’s.

“We are constantly recruiting and training new educators to meet the demands for in-home childcare, with no shortage of places for under 2’s.”

Government funding for three and four-year-olds is also being extended to kohanga reo and play centre services later this year.