Parents want qualified Early Childhood teachers

A survey of more than 1600 parents shows overwhelming support for young children to be taught by qualified EC teachers.
The survey, which was sent to EC centres and services around the country, was carried out by NZEI in response to the government’s cuts to ECE in the Budget.
$400 million is being slashed from EC spending with the government cutting funding to those services which employ between 80-100 per cent fully qualified staff. 
The cuts will affect more than half of the children currently enrolled in EC services. They penalise those services which are trying to provide the best quality education and care, and will force many to push up their fees to families.
Of the 1604 surveys received, an overwhelming 1584 of parents said they believed their child should have qualified ECE teachers, and 1566 agreed that all children should.
Parents were also asked whether they should pay more for ECE and the response was a resounding “no”.  They also agreed overwhelmingly that quality ECE is an investment in NZ’s future.
Research shows that children who are involved in quality ECE have better educational outcomes later in life. 
“This survey is a clear signal that parents understand and value the importance of having fully qualified teachers educating and caring for their children – it’s a shame the government doesn’t share that view, and instead chooses to undermine quality ECE,” says NZEI vice president Judith Nowotarski.
“Parents and communities are angry about these cuts and are aware of the pressures they are putting on centres and services.  The government needs to restore the funding, recommit to teacher qualification targets and back the right of all children to have the ECE they deserve.”