Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga

MP for Maungakiekie

01 March 2011

Media Statement

Commitment to Giving Children the Best Possible Start in Life Continues in Mount Wellington.

Maungakiekie MP Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga was pleased to attend the opening of the new head office for Safe Kids in Daily Supervision (SKIDS) in Mount Wellington on behalf of Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

SKIDS provides before school, after school, and holiday programmes for children of working parents. They are biggest provider of out-of-school services in New Zealand with programmes in 65 locations around the country.

“SKIDS are passionate about kids, and committed to seeing children getting the opportunities they need to reach their full potential.

“The National-led Government recognises the important work providers like SKIDS do in our local communities.

“The success of SKIDS not only reflects the hard-work of operators Beverley Parsons, Dawn Engelbrecht, and their staff but also the Government’s desire for high quality out-of-school programmes in our communities,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

“More and more Mums are combining paid employment with their role as a parent. The services provided by SKIDS are vitally important to support parents as they work and raise a family.

“A number of countries are working to improve their out-of-school services and child care as a way to promote child development, remove barriers which are stopping parents from getting jobs, and reduce poverty among families with young children.

“National is committed to achieving these outcomes in New Zealand. SKIDS are a provider which goes a long way to make this happen which is why we invest in them.

“Investing in our children is National’s priority. Along with funding to providers such as SKIDS we’re investing significant in child care through Early Childhood Education (ECE). This year about $1.3 billion will be spent on ECE for all New Zealand children in pre-school care.

“Government initiatives such as 20 hours free ECE, significant funding for ECE, and investment into providers such as SKIDS are going a long way to ensure our children get the best start possible in life.”

ENDS

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