Education officials confused over 20 free

Paula Bennett MP
National Party Associate Education Spokeswoman
(Early Childhood)

21 February 2007

Education officials confused over 20 free

Just four months out from the implementation of the Government’s $140 million ‘20 free hours’ childcare scheme, officials have admitted they have no idea how the scheme will actually work, says National’s Associate Education spokeswoman, Paula Bennett.

Ministry of Education officials appeared before Parliament’s Education and Science Select Committee this morning to give a briefing on the progress of the scheme.

“We’ve known for months that Education Minister Steve Maharey has been struggling to understand how his own policy will work and today’s presentation shows his officials are none the wiser.

“Maharey’s empty promise of ‘20 free hours’ childcare is due to be rolled out on July 1 and still his officials don’t know how many three and four year olds will actually be using the scheme.

“Ministry officials admitted they have no idea how many early childhood centres will take up the scheme, no idea how many children will actually be able to realise their ‘20 free hours’, and no idea what parents can expect from a centre offering the scheme.

“The officials confirmed what centres and the National Party have been saying for months - this is an empty promise that simply cannot work in its current form.

“Its time the Minister gave New Zealand parents an explanation.”

ENDS