Critics: Funding falls behind preschool costs

The Budget aims to increase participation in early childhood education but does nothing to improve the quality of that education, those in the sector say.

Finance Minister Bill English said in his Budget speech yesterday that $ 156 million in funding over four years had been allocated to help early childhood centres remain accessible and affordable, to meet demand pressures and increase participation.

‘‘ The Government has a target of increasing participation in early childhood education so 98 per cent of children starting school will have participated in quality ECE.’’

Education Minister Hekia Parata said a $ 53.6m boost to the subsidy rates would help keep fees affordable, which was vital to increase participation.

Ruahine Kindergarten Association general manager Alison Rudzki welcomed the funding increase, which she said translated to an operational funding increase for the association.

However, she was unhappy that there was no provision to ensure all early childhood teachers were qualified.

‘‘ We

are

disappointed

by

the The Government says increased education more affordable. However, early childhood educators say the funding is failing to keep pace with rising costs and is doing nothing to improve the quality of education, as only 80 per cent of teachers are required to be qualified. Early Childhood Council chief executive Peter Reynolds said while the non- salary part of the funding subsidy had increased 2.5 per cent, as salaries were the ‘‘ lion’s share’’ of costs, the increase actually equalled about 1 per cent overall. That was below inflation, and meant pressure would fall on centres either increase their fees to parents or reduce staffing.

funding will make early childhood missed opportunity to importance of quality.’’

However, she welcomed the exten-

emphasise

to sion of paid parental leave and free prescriptions for those younger than 13.

NZEI Te Riu Roa Palmerston North representative Liam Rutherford said that while it was always good to see new money going into the sector, he agreed there was a focus on participation rather than quality.

He said it used to be that 100 per cent of teachers at early childhood education centres had to be qualified.

‘‘ When National came in they cut it to 80 per cent and it’s something that they have refused to go back and revisit.’’

Research had shown that quality early childhood education was crucial to ensure a child’s future success.