Drive to Enrol More Children Puts Quality at Risk

New Zealand First Deputy Leader Tracey Martin says the government continues to promote early childhood education for increasing numbers of preschool children to meet National’s artificial Better Public Service Target.

“But it is unwilling to address quality issues as required by the second strategic goal within Ngā Huarahi Arataki to improve the quality of all ECE services,” she says.

“A 2011 taskforce and two sector advisory groups have produced a long list of recommendations to improve the sector, however Education Minister Hekia Parata has done little to respond.

“Poor care at early childhood education and care centres can impact on children’s behaviour and learning.

“New Zealand First continues to call for an urgent review of adult to infant staffing ratios in all centres, but successive calls for action by the Minister have gone unanswered.

“Add that to the Minister’s decision to shelve an urgent review of home-based care in 2012 and it’s obvious we’ve got problems.

“The government claims a fresh inquiry into quality issues is unwarranted. New Zealand First disagrees.

“The government has a duty to do all it can to make sure children are provided with the best possible start. Participation at the expense of quality is not the answer,” says Mrs Martin.

ENDS

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