ECE Services Fear Closure

27 July, 2011

ECE Services Fear Closure

There is a growing groundswell of concern from parents, educators and teachers from portions of the Early Childhood education sector that the recent report, initiated by the Minister of Education, could not only result in increased childcare costs but closures of particular service types.

The ECE Taskforce Report released on the 1st of June 2011 seems to have a focus on getting parents back into the workforce and is biased in favour of teacher led, centre based services recommending that all “other” services (Home-based childcare, Playcentre and Kohanga Reo) should receive reduced funding cuts of up to 63%. Currently home-based and parent-led ECE services are funded on average 40% less than teacher led, centre based ECE services per child per hour even though they must meet the same level of regulatory compliance and outcomes for children.

Diversity and transparency in the Early Childhood sector is critical, so parents can make informed decisions about the type of care best suited to their children’s needs and family values. “Our fear is that the changes proposed by the ECE Taskforce will limit choice for parents by creating a bias toward out-of-home, centre based childcare” says Ms Stovold.

Parents who choose home-based childcare and parent led services believe the inherent nature of home based care and parental care, including the secure attachment relationships developed and the low ratio of care (child to educator/parent), is quality. The US National Research Council clearly explains, “If there is a single critical component of quality, it rests in the relationship between the child and the parent/teacher/educator, and in the ability of the adult to be responsive to the child.”

Recently, the Minister of Education announced that the maximum number of children in centre-based services has changed from 50 children to 150 children per license. Elimination of home- based and parent led ECE services as a focus on cost savings would lead to fewer options for parents and a “factory style” approach to Early Childhood Education.

The Ministry of Education is currently conducting an eight week public consultation period on the recommendations made in the ECE Taskforce report. The consultation began on the 15th of June 2011 and will end on the 8th of August 2011.

Ms Stovold “Strongly urges all parents, teachers and educators to provide feedback as part of this consultation process”. Consultation documents which can be completed online or downloaded and posted can be found on the Ministry of Education website.

Additional information and discussions can be found on

http://nzhomebasedece.org.nz/
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Stop-NZ-Government-ECE-Funding-Cuts-for-Home-based-Care-Kids/200598963319535
http://www.facebook.com/SavePlaycentre?sk=wall
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/ECE-Taskforce-NZ/169032569795258

ENDS