Labour Candidate for Wellington Central

1 September 2008

$30,000 funding boost for Wellington Central ECE

An announcement today that Elim International Kids Early Childhood Centre is one of 27 centres nationwide to receive a financial grant from the Labour-led government, is a welcome boost, Labour Wellington Central candidate Grant Robertson said.

Elim International Kids Early Childhood Centre is a successful Establishment Funding applicant and will receive $30,000 to upgrade their services.

"I think investment in early childhood services is one of the most critical things we can do for the future of our country. A good start for our kids in learning and interacting is critical to the economic and social development of New Zealand”, Grant said.

“A major priority for me as MP for Wellington Central will be to ensure that we continue to develop early childhood education in the city. Today’s announcement is good news, but I am very conscious that there is more to do. It is important for our community that we see more investment in these services”, Grant said.

The Ministry of Education's Discretionary Grants Scheme and Establishment Funding initiatives will increase the provision of early childhood education through the creation of 306 new child places in the early childhood services network and help retain 156 places in services that are required to relocate.

"These grants provide assistance to eligible community-based groups to plan for and build new early childhood services, extend existing services and meet costs associated with establishing a new service," said Education Minister Chris Carter.

Discretionary Grants and Establishment Funding initiatives have provided over $100 million towards early childhood education services since July 2000. Applications for the second round of Establishment Funding close on Friday 31 October.

ENDS

© Scoop Media