Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Education Policy | Post Primary | Preschool | Primary | Tertiary | Search

 

Early Childhood Education New Funding Applauded

Early Childhood Teachers Applaud New Funding for Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood teachers from North Canterbury Community Centres support the government’s budget initiatives to spend more on early childhood education.

Research shows that quality early childhood education has positive benefits for children’s learning and behaviour in school and in society.

“We are pleased that the government is finally recognising that, quality education means qualified staff, and qualified staff cost more, so early childhood centres will need this extra funding as they move towards a fully qualified workforce,” says Rangiora early childhood teacher, Kate McKay.

In addition, early childhood teachers need to be paid parity with their colleagues in the rest of the education sector. “Teachers with the same qualifications and experience should receive the same pay regardless of the age children they teach,” says Kate McKay.

Teachers applauded the government move to offer parents 20 hours of free education for three and four-year-olds, which will help make early childhood education more accessible, however we’d like to see this implemented sooner why make families wait until 2007 for this entitlement.

This far-sighted move will help struggling families, and will make life easier for the increasing number of families where both parents work.

It is important that politicians from all political parties endorse policies which promote quality early childhood education by ensuring all children are taught by qualified, registered teachers, that centres have enough money to pay teachers properly, and that parents can afford to access that education.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Culture Headlines | Health Headlines | Education Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • CULTURE
  • HEALTH
  • EDUCATION
 
 
  • Wellington
  • Christchurch
  • Auckland
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.