Early warning signs in early childhood education

27 November 2008

Media Release:

Early warning signs in early childhood education

QPEC is deeply disappointed at the new government’s decision to abandon regulations for early childhood centres due to come into effect on 1 December.

The regulations would have lifted minimum standards for facilities, services and safety for children but the government is bowing to pressure from the private sector lobby in ECE.

The Early Childhood Council, dominated by privately-run “for-profit” ECE providers, has vigorously opposed regulation of the sector and it’s unfortunate they have the ear of the Minister of Education.

The proposed regulations were not oppressive as the government claims and had only caused “great angst” among centres wanting to make quick profits at the expense of quality ECE services for children.

It’s a predictable but worrying start for the sector under the new government.

QPEC’s concern is the sector will begin to move quickly in the direction of quality based on parents’ ability to pay rather than being based on high quality standards for all children.

This trend was well underway under Labour and is likely to accelerate under National.

ENDS

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