$21.5m extra for early childhood learning support

The Government has announced more than $21.5 million extra for Kiwi children needing pre-school learning and behavioural support.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the extra money would give thousands more children access to extra support services.

But National says more than money is needed as the education system is due for an overhaul.

Ardern said evidence showed children who had high-quality early childhood education (ECE) had a head start .

‘‘But a lack of funding for early intervention services has meant that far too many children have missed out on behaviour, learning, or speech and language support they need to get the full benefits of ECE.’’

This funding boost for early intervention services would mean extra support for almost 8000 more children over the next four years. The money would fund early intervention for young children who needed help with language development, social interactions and behaviour, as well as engagement and attainment in school.

Ardern announced the extra $21.5m in operational funding over four years during the closing of a round of national education summits in Auckland yesterday.

Support services would also get an extra $272,000 capital to cover the IT costs of extra staff.

Associate Education Minister and Children’s Minister Tracey Martin said the money was expected to halve the current waiting list for such services, as well as help meet future demand.

‘‘Intervening effectively and early for children with learning support needs makes a real difference to children’s development and learning.’’

The money would see an extra

1750 children receive help over the coming year, while contracted early intervention specialist service providers would support another 150 children with the highest needs. Within two years, that would grow to an additional

200 children, Martin said. That would mean more frontline early-intervention staff, and more than 60 additional scholarships to expand the workforce.

‘‘This Government believes all children, regardless of their ability or disability, their culture or their family background have the right to an education that sets them up for life,’’ Ardern said.

But National’s education spokeswoman, Nikki Kaye, and early childhood education spokeswoman Nicola Willis said the learning support system needed more than cash. Willis urged the Government to continue National’s overhaul of the system.