22 November 2004

New funding support for early childhood services

Education Minister Trevor Mallard today announced a new funding pool for early childhood education centres to help cover start-up costs such as equipment and teachers resources, so services don't have to unnecessarily delay opening their doors to children for the first time.

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Education Minister Trevor Mallard today announced a new funding pool for early childhood education centres to help cover start-up costs such as equipment and teachers resources, so services don't have to unnecessarily delay opening their doors to children for the first time.

"From 2005 the funding pool, worth $4.2 million over four years, will enable new services to employ staff for planning and preparation in the time leading up to the centre opening. It will also enable them to purchase good quality furniture, equipment, and teaching materials.

"This new funding will help meet the operational costs centres face which can lead to lengthy delays in getting services up and running.

"The government already funds building costs for new early childhood centres. We have invested $12.8 million this year on the planning and building of new early childhood education centres, creating about 420 extra places for under-fives in early childhood education.

"The Labour-led government strongly believes in opportunity for everyone. That's why we are very committed to getting more under-fives into top quality and affordable early childhood education. It's a high priority, and explains why our investment in early childhood education will have risen by a massive 79 per cent between 1999 and 2008.

"Research shows that intensive and regular participation in early childhood education improves long-term educational outcomes for children. Our government is committed to giving more of our youngsters the start they deserve, by helping local communities to establish their own early childhood service.

"This initiative will assist in increasing the supply of community-based early childhood services in areas of under supply, to meet anticipated increased demand for services.

"It will provide community groups with greater opportunities to provide early childhood education services that are tailored to meet the needs of local communities," Trevor Mallard said.

In addition, extra funding will be provided to bring the funding rates for licence-exempt early childhood services up to the funding level for license-exempt kohanga reo.
This move is in line with the 'cost drivers funding principle' whereby services with the same cost structure are funded at the same rate.

ENDS

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