Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Licence needed for work use Learn More

Education Policy | Post Primary | Preschool | Primary | Tertiary | Search

 

Kindergartens Aotearoa Opposes Lower Standards For Homebased Services

Kindergartens Aotearoa is concerned about the safety of babies and young children in home based early education and care services, after the government reduced requirements last week.

The changes mean those caring for young children in their homes don’t need to have any qualifications or knowledge of the needs of young children.

The change was announced last week and promoted as an improvement, as everyone needs to enrol in a course within six months of engagement as a home-based educator, however engaging or completing the course are not requirements.

Kindergarten Associations run several homebased services that require all educators to complete a course.

For decades, advocates of homebased early education have been working to lift the standards in the sector.

Amanda Coulston of Kindergartens Aotearoa says the announcement last week also means all services can access the higher funding rate that goes to those with a greater proportion of qualified staff.

“Essentially this means more public money with less accountability” says Amanda. “It will encourage private companies to set up homebased networks services just to get the money, without caring about the effects on babies and children.”

Services can get government funding of up to around $11.60 per child per hour to run homebased services.

“It’s a real safety issue if people with no knowledge of babies and young children are able to care for them in their own homes.”

Kindergartens Aotearoa represents six regional kindergarten associations around the country that operate more than 300 of New Zealand’s kindergartens, catering for 14,000 children each day, from Auckland’s North Shore to South Otago.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Culture Headlines | Health Headlines | Education Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • CULTURE
  • HEALTH
  • EDUCATION
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.