ECE Taskforce report validates investment in quality ECE

01 June 2011

ECE Taskforce report validates investment in high quality ECE

Today's long anticipated early childhood taskforce report release makes a strong case for prioritising ECE spend over 'almost anything else' says Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa/NZ Childcare Association Chief Executive Nancy Bell.

"The report has a real thrust on lifting quality and ensuring high quality provision for all children. This is a very positive vision which the sector has been promoting for many years. We are pleased to see the recommendations for regulating 80% qualified teachers, funding subsidies reinstated for 100% qualified, ratio improvements, leadership development and backing for research and innovation. These are all exciting prospects that should see quality improvements across the sector."

"The proposed increase in funding subsidy for under-twos is very welcome, because this age group is most vulnerable and requires the highest level of investment."

"However, the constraint on the working party to be cost-neutral has meant winners and losers. More for the same funding means middle income parents will have to pay more. This is the end of free ECE, the report in unequivocal about this."

"The taskforce was given the job of enrolling more children for the same funding and it is inevitable that some families will see a reduction in funding as a result. Although the taskforce talks about a simpler funding architecture, the proposal in the report is complex to understand and unpick at this early stage, especially given the conflation of the ECE funding rates and the WINZ subsidy."

"Improving access for children missing out is an important priority for us all, but targeting, while good in theory, creates its own issues. How the work of identifying priority and non-priority children will be undertaken is a big question. The sector will be seeking reassurance they will not have to act as gatekeepers to decide on who are priority children and who are not."

"There are some apparent contradictions in the report. This includes suggesting that teachers' salaries should be left entirely to the market, whilst at the same time espousing that a professionally remunerated workforce is key to a quality sector. We hope these will be resolved during the consultation phase."

"The report asks government, the sector and parents to step up. This isn't a problem for ECE teachers who have been stepping up for years and are keen to work with government to create a high quality ECE sector."

ENDS

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