Education Minister Anne Tolley has been reassuring the early
childhood education sector on the future of its services, as
consultation on an independent task force's report comes to a
close.
The Early Childhood Education Taskforce was established to
report to the Government about spending and learning support
in the sector.
Concern about some of its recommendations, including creating
a funding model which split services into "core" and
"non-core" levels, resulted in the Otago Playcentre
Association holding a rally in Dunedin last month.
If the recommendation went ahead, services like playcentre,
Kohanga Reo and home-based childcare would have funding cut
by up to 70%.
However, Education Minister Anne Tolley this week said
funding would not be cut to parent-led services like
playcentre and Kohanga Reo, as the Government valued a
diverse ECE sector.
Her comments left Dunedin Community Childcare Association
director Jo Ellis confused, as the consultation process was
not complete, and wondering if home-based services would
receive the same reprieve.
The association had 200 families using its home-based care
services, which were teacher-led, while 17,000 children were
enrolled in services throughout New Zealand.
If funding was cut, the association's service "would not be
viable" and the option would become "unaffordable and
inequitable for parents", Ms Ellis said.
When asked by the Otago Daily Times if home-based
services could be reassured of their funding levels, Mrs
Tolley said the services "won't be disadvantaged" and would
"continue to play an important role".
Ms Ellis urged people to have their say on the task force's
report, with consultation ending on Monday.
- ellie.constantine@odt.co.nz
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