Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Government hoodwinking parents over early childhood funding
26th May 2011
For Immediate Release
Government hoodwinking parents over early childhood funding
The education sector union NZEI Te Riu Roa is warning parents may face more fee increases with many early childhood services effectively taking another hit from this year’s Budget.
As centres work on their financial plans following the Budget, it’s becoming clear that they are going to have trouble making ends meet.
Following cuts to services announced last year, this year’s Budget brought little relief with most early childhood centres getting only a 1.1% funding increase. That is less than the rate of inflation and effectively represents another cut.
“Parents need to make sure they’re not being hoodwinked by government claims about more money going into early childhood education,” says NZEI National Executive member Hayley Whitaker.
“There has been an increase in the birth rate for several years now, and more children are attending than ever before, but the amount per child has not kept up.”
Hayley Whitaker says “this year’s Budget has given early childhood education $550 million but the fact is that money is spread over four years and will simply cover predicted roll growth.”
Last year the government slashed early childhood funding by $295 million by reducing subsidies to centres which employ more than 80% qualified teachers. The cuts attacked quality early childhood education and have meant 11.7% fee increases for parents on average already.
Ms Whitaker says “those cuts are really starting to bite and without enough funding to cover inflation in this year’s Budget, centres will continue to struggle and parents can expect fees to rise again over the next year. We think the government should be honest about this.”
“We’ve seen funding cut to more than 2,000 services, the target for having 100% qualified teachers has been abandoned, professional development for early childhood teachers has been cut and support for teachers in training and new graduates has been reduced,” she says.
“Children deserve the best start they can get
and it’s a shame the government seems intent on continuing
to chip away at the value of
that.”
ends
NZEI Te Riu Roa
New Zealand Educational Institute
NZEI Te Riu Roa members work in every community in New Zealand, leading and advocating for quality public education.
We are the 50,000 principals, teachers and support staff who work in primary, area and secondary schools as well as early childhood centres, special education and school advisory services. We come together as NZEI Te Riu Roa - New Zealand's largest education union, a Treaty based organisation and a powerful advocate for quality public education.
We have the most important job in New Zealand - educating for the future.
Gordon Campbell: On bird flu, AUKUS entry fees and Cindy Lee
Labour Party: Penny Drops – But What About Seymour And Peters?
Government: PM Announces Changes To Portfolios
Family First: Just 1 In 6 Oppose ‘Three Strikes’ - Poll
Labour Party: Budget Blunder Shows Nicola Willis Could Cut Recovery Funding 
Government: Urgent Changes To System Through First RMA Amendment Bill
Peace Movement Aotearoa: Global Military Spending Increase Threatens Humanity And The Planet
