ChildForum Early Childhood Network

Thursday 27th June 2013

ChildForum Early Childhood Network

Survey reveals confidence is still low in the early childhood education sector

Confidence in the early childhood education sector remains low, according to a new survey by national early childhood network, ChildForum.

The results are from the latest in a new series of surveys commissioned by ChildForum to gauge the latest feeling among those on the front line of early childhood education.

The survey asks early childhood education service owners and managers, and those directly involved in the sector if they believe the sector will improve or worsen over the next 12 months.

It also sheds light on what is happening within the sector and any problems services may be facing.

The latest results show fewer respondents currently feel things will get worse over the next year but there is still little confidence that things will improve.

At present it is felt that the Government is doing little to improve quality in the sector and ensure that all New Zealand children are receiving the best possible start in their education.

A slight increase in funding revealed in the Budget appears to have decreased pessimism but did not go far enough to bring renewed confidence to the sector, according to the survey results.

Many problems raised in this latest survey have also been raised in previous ChildForum surveys, suggesting there are on-going issues within the sector that need to be addressed.

ChildForum national director Dr Sarah Farquhar said it was important to keep an eye on how the sector felt at grass roots level and that the results could help to inform policy and decision makers.

ChildForum will continue to survey early childhood services to gain a continuing picture of how the sector is faring.

For more detailed results of the June survey go to www.childforum.com

The national early childhood network, ChildForum, supports NZ’s more than 4,000 early childhood services and people involved in early childcare and education through research, resources, and harnessing the potential of services and the early education system to be the best it can be for children. In addition, ChildForum provides a forum for discussion of issues and needs within and across the sector.

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