Early education that empowers families

Media Release – 3 November 2009

New Zealand Playcentre Federation

Call for community based early education that empowers families

A new report, released today, calls for the coordinated development of public early childhood education services in every community.

Entitled 'Strengthening Community-based Early Childhood Education in Aotearoa/New Zealand”, the report is the outcome of a collaboration between nine organisations involved in the Quality Public Early Childhood Education Project. The organisations represent a diverse range of early childhood providers including Playcentre, kindergartens, childcare services and home-based care groups, as well as other sector organisations.

The report was written by highly respected academics, Helen May from the University of Otago, and Linda Mitchell from Waikato University, and expresses the shared vision: that every child has a right as a citizen to participate in free early childhood education; and that every family that wishes to can access high quality, community-based early childhood education.

“It is vital that early education services are responsive to the particular communities they serve,” said Acting Playcentre Federation President, Maureen Woodhams. “Community services, which are managed by parent committees, maximise responsiveness and are able to incorporate family culture and beliefs in respectful ways.”

“In addition Playcentre has the dual focus of parent education alongside the children's education programme which empowers parents as their children's first teachers. As Playcentres are closely linked to their communities this builds and enriches the wider community.”

Following publication of this report, Playcentre looks forward to working with the early childhood sector and the government to develop a comprehensive plan to ensure that every family is able to access the community based early childhood service of their choice.

The report is being officially launched at NZEI offices at 5pm on 3 November.

ENDS

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