There is great uptake of the optional 20 hours free amongst early childhood centres that really care about early childhood education rather than returning a profit – and that’s as it should be, says NZEI President Irene Cooper.
“We’re delighted to see increasing numbers of quality centres deciding to opt in to the opportunity that 20 hours free early childhood education will offer from 1 July, because they can see that it is a much better deal than anything else on offer for families. It’s a great shame that the National Party have decided to support the commercial childcare centres, who seem to see the policy as a threat to their profits, rather than the centres whose focus is offering the best possible education and conditions for children and families”, she says.
USED CARS 4 Sale - FindA
Search Businesses - FindA
MORTGAGE Calculators
NZ REAL ESTATE Online
Looking at EXPORTING?
The National Party spokesperson’s claim that centres deciding to ask parents for a small subsidy to top up the 20 hours free education means that the scheme is not free is ridiculous, Ms Cooper says. Any parent of children at school knows that even with free education, there are always small extras that parents are asked to cover, such as trips, food or special events.
“That’s how it has always been. To argue that it means that 20 hours free is not free is highly misleading.
What we all need to focus on is the huge improvement that this new 20 hours free policy will make to improving families; access to quality early chilhood education, and how much more affordable it will bcome for those families that struggled to pay for their pre-schoolers’ education.”
Research both here and internationally shows without a doubt that those children who receive childhood education before they go to primary school do better in every area of life later, including higher achievement at school, relationships, social skills and well being, says Ms Cooper.
“New Zealand is a world leader in early childhood education, and the 20 hours free policy adds to the richness and success of that. It is fantastic that the Government has recognised this, and is making an investment in New Zealand children’s future. The nay-sayers obviously have other priorities.”Labels: academy awards, career training, education online, financial aid, free college, free education, high school, scholarship, student loans, study abroad |
