Please find inline below a media release - best, Jordan.

$30,000 funding boost for Waiuku Early Childhood services

Media Release - 1 September 2008

Jordan Carter, Labour's Hunua Candidate, today welcomed an announcement that Kahui Iti Nei (Te Kopu Incorporated) in Waiuku is one of 27 Early Childhood Education centres nationwide to receive a financial grant from the Labour-led government.

Kahui Iti Nei is a successful Establishment Funding applicant and will receive $30,000 to upgrade their services.

"Investing in the expansion of early childhood education services is an important priority for Labour," said Jordan Carter.

"I am pleased that this government grant can help with the establishment of a new service, which has also attracted funding from community organisations like the ASB Trusts.

"Small, targeted centres can often give the best services for local communities, and I am sure this new service will be of lasting benefit to Waiuku and surrounding areas," Jordan Carter said.

The Ministry of Education's Discretionary Grants Scheme and Establishment Funding initiatives will increase the provision of early childhood education through the creation across the country of 306 new child places in the early childhood services network and help retain 156 places in services that are required to relocate.

"These grants provide assistance to eligible community-based groups to plan for and build new early childhood services, extend existing services and meet costs associated with establishing a new service," said Education Minister Chris Carter.

Chris Carter said he was delighted that this funding announcement would directly benefit the Waiuku community.

"Research shows that the greatest benefits are for children who traditionally have been less likely to access early childhood education."

Discretionary Grants and Establishment Funding initiatives have provided over $100 million towards early childhood education services since July 2000.

Applications for the second round of Establishment Funding for 2008 close on Friday 31 October, and more details can be found on the Ministry of Education's website.

ENDS

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