Funding for more ECE places in North Canterbury

27 March 2012

Funding for more ECE places in North Canterbury

The Ministry of Education has announced funding to enable more under 5s to attend the Swannanoa Pre-school in North Canterbury.

The grant of $375,000 will help fund an extension to the existing building to provide a further 50 spaces by the end of this year.

Swannanoa Preschool, a purpose built, community-based early childhood education centre, was established by a volunteer group on the Swannanoa School site eight years ago.

Staff currently provide preschool education to 104 children from birth to five years, and there is a wait list of more than 100 children – more than half are from families who have relocated since the earthquake.

Ministry of Education Deputy Secretary Canterbury Earthquake Recovery, Nick Pole says the grant will double the number of spaces the Swannanoa Preschool can offer a day to local families, addressing the urgent need for access to early childhood education in the area.

The Swannanoa Preschool sits in an area of the Waimakariri District that has experienced dramatic increases in population over a short period, with further property developments happening now and in the future which will see the community continue to grow.

Over the past 18 months the Ministry has provided financial support to earthquake damaged centres to ensure continued provision in greater Christchurch, but this is the first funding response to address rapid growth due to shifting populations.

The Ministry continues to closely monitor other areas of low capacity and high growth.

ENDS

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