Paula Bennett MP
National Party Associate Education Spokeswoman
(Early Childhood)

11 June 2008

Gym crèches prepare for legislative lunacy

New rules for crèches in gyms and swimming pools mean children can attend these centres for up to only two hours a day and for no more than six hours per week, says National’s Associate Education spokeswoman, Paula Bennett.

“After gyms throughout the country faced closure because of over-zealous bureaucrats, Labour is addressing the problem by bringing in yet another new regulatory regime for what they call ‘limited attendance ECE centres’.”

“Come on. When is commonsense going to kick in? Where does Labour get off telling parents they can exercise for only three days a week - which is what the six-hourly limit effectively reduces them to?

“Exercising with your child nearby has never been so complicated. Gyms will also have to deal with unclear adult/child ratio issues and health and safety requirements.

“Everyone understands that a child’s wellbeing must be paramount, but Labour manages to strangle even the simplest concept with unnecessarily restrictive red tape.

“Parents want to exercise knowing their child is safe nearby.

“A battalion of bureaucrats committing legislative lunacy is unlikely to be the quickest or simplest route to that goal.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media