Barnardos welcomes plan for early learning

MEDIA STATEMENT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

19 November 2019

Barnardos welcomes Government’s draft 10 year strategic plan for early learning

Today Barnardos welcomes Government’s publication He taonga te tamati – the draft Strategic Plan for Early Learning 2019-29. Barnardos particularly welcomes the theme of the draft Strategic Plan: every child a taonga. The draft plan begins from the recognition that every child is a precious taonga and rights holder, born with inherent potential for growth and development, and should have high quality settings supporting their overall education and wellbeing. This focus aligns with Barnardos’ belief that all children in Aotearoa should be able to shine bright from the very start of life, and develop to experience a childhood and life of potential ahead of them.

Keith Newton, General Manager Barnardos Early Learning, says “we are pleased to see Government setting out its strategic goals for early learning in Aotearoa in its draft 10 year strategic plan. The final plan will have significant implications for Aotearoa’s children and their families, and whānau. We encourage children, parents, families and whānau and educators to have their say and feedback on the draft 10 year Strategy for Early Learning”.

Barnardos is Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading children’s charity, working towards the vision of ‘an Aotearoa New Zealand where every child shines bright’. As part of its services offered around the country, Barnardos provides both centre and home-based early learning to all children and tamariki on a not-for-profit basis. Barnardos Early Learning supports every child to flourish in their early years through strong whānau connections, fostering a love of the natural world, and through embracing every moment as a learning one.

Mr. Newton says that Barnardos “supports changes that will enable tamariki to learn and grow in safe, nurturing environments. We welcome the central themes of quality, equity and choice which underpin the draft 10 year Strategic Plan for Early Learning. Over the coming weeks Barnardos will be looking closely at the draft Plan and then making a detailed submission in response, to help further shape and strengthen the plan. We are looking forward to our feedback supporting the contributions Barnardos has already made to the Education Conversation, and ensuring we have a future education system that meets the needs of all children and young people”.

ENDS

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