Paula Bennett MP
National Party Associate Education spokeswoman
(Early Childhood)
&
Nick Smith
National Party Nelson MP

6 November 2007

Crèche petition presented to Parliament

A petition to inject some common sense into Labour’s thinking regarding the closure of gym and pool child-minding facilities has been presented in Parliament today.

The petition states: ‘That Parliament stop the Ministry of Education closing child minding facilities in gyms and pools, and its threats of closing Sunday schools, by its interpretation of early childhood education regulations and let New Zealanders get on with their lives without this unnecessary interference by Government’.

Over 8,000 people have signed the petition. “The signatories support National’s view and the view of the petitioner, Sheila Scott, that these closures are a bureaucratic nonsense,” says Nelson MP Nick Smith.

“We are delighted with the number of people who have supported this petition. Parents are fed up with the unnecessary Government interference in their lives”.

The petition was launched in September by Nick Smith, Sheila Scott, and Paula Bennett at the CityFitness gym in Nelson, whose crèche was closed by the Ministry of Education earlier this year.

“Parents should be able to judge for themselves whether the supervision of their children is adequate, without the interference of busy-body bureaucrats,” says National’s Associate Education spokeswoman (Early Childhood), Paula Bennett.

“The support for this petition shows that the Government has no idea what parents need.”

The petition will be referred to the Education Select Committee for consideration, and will also be sent to the Ministry of Education as a submission to their current review of early childhood education facilities.

ENDS

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