ECE taskforce established without consultation

Early childhood taskforce established without consultation

The taskforce to review early childhood eductaion was appointed without consultation with the sector says Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa / NZ Childcare Association Chief Executive Nancy Bell.

“We are pleased that participation in early childhood education is a priority for government, and we welcome robust evidence-informed discussion about public investment.”

“We hope that the taskforce’s review of government investment will consider the evidence that high quality ECE makes a real difference for children and families.”

“However, we are very concerned by the secrecy around the establishment of the taskforce. We would have expected to have had the opportunity to have nominated a range of expertise. The taskforce has been established without any consultation with the sector.”

“There is concern in sector that the taskforce review follows significant funding cuts planned to come into effect next year. If the intent is to further rationalise investment, this will impact on the affordability of ECE for children and families, and the viability of services. It would be especially stressing to see further erosion of the quality of early childhood education because it needs to be high quality if it is to be good for children.”

“We hope that this initiative is not a thinly veiled cost cutting exercise.”

ENDS

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