Children Missing Out As Learning Needs Go Unaddressed

Children Missing Out As Learning Needs Go Unaddressed

Policy decisions by government are sabotaging children’s education by not providing a proper early intervention service, according to one of the largest providers of early childhood education in the Wellington region.

Whnau Manaaki Kindergartens provides 85 kindergartens through Horowhenua, Kapiti, Wairarapa, Upper Hutt, Porirua and Wellington, as well as a home-based service in Porirua.

Chief executive officer Amanda Coulston says teachers throughout the region are frustrated and outraged by the long delays experienced by families needing additional help for children with additional learning needs.

“Children and families are routinely waiting for ten months just for an initial appointment”, she says. Providing specialist support can take longer than that. “This is totally unacceptable.”

Some early learning centres have given up making referrals because of the poor service available, and that’s no good for children.

“Families experience unnecessary extra stress and children lose valuable learning time because of the long delays” says Ms Coulston.

“Getting in and supporting children in the early years is so important and means they’re not playing catch up for the rest of their lives.”

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