Early Childhood Council joins the Education Forum

Appointment of Early Childhood Council to the Education Forum

The Early Childhood Council has enthusiastically accepted an invitation to join the Education Forum.

ECC President Ross Penman says, "The invitation reflects a growing acceptance of the importance of early childhood education as an integral part of education in New Zealand with a vital contribution to make in the later success and happiness in schooling and life."

"The Early Childhood Council's CEO, Sue Thorne will join other key leaders in the education sector, on the Education Forum, to promote quality outcomes for the nations children and sensible public policies."

"Whilst the Education Forum was initially focussed on education in the compulsory sector, the Forum members recently decided to widen it's base in recognition of the common objectives and ideals and the opportunities to learn from and support each other."

"The early childhood education sector may still seen by some as the 'poor cousin' in terms of public funding and image, however the New Zealand early childhood sector has attained world recognition for it's innovation and diversity over the last 12 years, successfully implementing bulk funding, parental choice, responding to various demands for differing philosophies, locally driven initiatives and incorporating within the broad framework a dynamic mix of committee and owner-operator enterprises."

"There are many features of the early childhood sector that our other education colleagues would envy and want to learn about."

The Early Childhood Council represents 800 early childhood centres in New Zealand both community owned, and owner-operated. ECC member centres provide education for about 40,000 children and employment for approximately 5000 staff.

Contact Ross Penman President 027 4999 216

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