Families Better Off Under Nats Policy

Families Better Off Under Nats Policy

The introduction of a substantial childcare tax rebate from April next year under a National-led Government would provide much needed assistance towards the costs of childcare for working parents of preschoolers.

“We are very pleased that the National Party has made the commitment to retain those aspects of current early childhood policy that are fair and equitable” said Sue Thorne, Chief Executive Officer, Early Childhood Council.

“We are also very pleased that the Labour Government’s discriminatory 20 free hours for 3 and 4 year olds attending community-owned services would be replaced by a more valuable rebate that would benefit all preschool children, regardless of the service they attend” said Mrs Thorne.

The Early Childhood Council strongly supports of the rights of parents (not governments) to make the best choices about their children’s education and care.

The proposed childcare rebate respects that right by making all types of childcare and all preschoolers eligible. The 20 free hours only provides additional support to 3 and 4 year olds attending community-owned services, the majority of working parents would miss out under Labour’s policy.

This replacement policy gives parents three times more in dollar terms and delivers it twelve months earlier than the discriminatory 20 free hours.

“We believe National has elevated themselves to a higher position than Labour in terms of early childhood policy and it won’t take long for astute parents to work that out” said Mrs Thorne.

The Early Childhood Council represents the interests of over 300 community owned centres and 500 privately owned centres nationwide.

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