Hon Trevor Mallard
Minister of Education

06 September 2005 Media Statement

Funding to help ECE centres get up and running

Education Minister Trevor Mallard today announced establishment funding of almost $100,000 has been granted to assist five new early childhood education (ECE) centres with set-up costs.

"Today's funding will help alleviate the financial barriers that the centres encounter as they get set up. It will ensure that teachers have an opportunity to plan and set up the learning environment with quality equipment, and will help with the recruitment of qualified staff," Trevor Mallard said.

Establishment funding is a new initiative to contribute to the operational costs associated with establishing a new licensed early childhood service. $1.2 million is available in 2005/06.

The aim of the new initiative is to assist with establishing quality ECE services by assisting with the cost of recruiting and employing qualified staff to develop the educational programme prior to becoming licensed, and the purchase of equipment and resources.

"We know that quality early childhood education makes a positive difference to the learning outcomes for children. Research shows that the greatest benefits are for children who traditionally have been less likely to access early childhood education, including children from poorer homes or living in rural communities," Trevor Mallard said.

"Today's funding will help achieve this Labour-led government's goal of making quality early childhood education more accessible and affordable for all families and parents in New Zealand."

This round of grants follows grants made to 37 groups in May 2005.
Information and application forms for the next Establishment Funding round are available on the Ministry’s website. Applications close Monday 31 October and it is expected that decisions will be announced in December.

A list of the five centres is attached.

ENDS

Establishment Grants September 2005

$24,450 for Fetu-i-Sasa’e Aoga Amata Early Childhood Day Care in Manukau, Auckland: Establishment funding granted for equipment/resources and staff costs.

$17,089 for St James Kidsway in Pukekohe, Auckland: Establishment funding granted for equipment/resources and staff costs.

$20,000 for Nōku Te Ao Charitable Trust in Christchurch: Establishment funding granted for equipment and resources.

$30,000 for Taonga Early Childhood Centre in Clendon, Auckland: Establishment funding for staff costs.

$23,127 for Mosgiel Early Learning Trust in Mosgiel: Establishment funding granted for equipment/resources and staff costs.

© Scoop Media