All children deserve great quality teaching

All children deserve great quality teaching – Children’s Day 2014

This Children’s Day (Sunday March 2) NZEI Te Riu Roa is calling on all political parties to ensure children get the maximum benefit from early education by committing to all teachers in ECE services being qualified and registered by 2020.

NZEI Te Riu Roa National Executive Early Childhood Education representative, Virginia Oakly, says the government needs to reverse its 2010 cuts to 100% quality teaching in early childhood education if it is serious about improving outcomes for children.

“This year Children’s Day (March 2) is an opportunity to focus on what children need in order to have the best start in life. Investing in quality early childhood education is one of the best things a government can do,” she says.

“Twenty hours free early childhood education and other initiatives have increased participation significantly, but there needs to be heightened focus on quality if children are to benefit the most from ECE.”

“We’re now seeing the results of funding cuts for qualified teachers. New Zealand Kindergarten Inc estimates the cuts have led to a 14 percent decrease in kindergarten funding.”

“Quality ECE is crucial for all children but is particularly important for those children who come from low socio-economic backgrounds. For every dollar invested it’s estimated that up to $17 is saved in welfare and justice costs in later life.”

NZEI is celebrating National Children’s Day today by launching a series of videos and blogs at http://www.beststart.org.nz/ exploring early childhood education and looking at what great early childhood teaching is all about.
Earlier this year, NZEI welcomed Labour’s announcement that it would extend 20 hours free ECE to 25 hours for three and four year olds and restore the 100 percent qualified and registered teacher target.

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