A government move to take away licensing requirements for gym crèches is a backward step which could put children at risk, according to the union representing early childhood teachers, NZEI Te Riu Roa.

The Education Minister has announced that short-term childcare centers will no longer have to adhere to the same licensing regulations as early childhood education centres. That means they will not have to employ qualified staff, meet the same health and safety regulations or provide quality education and learning programmes.

NZEI recognises the value of gym crèches in terms of flexibility and convenience but believes parents deserve to know that their children are with qualified staff in a regulated environment.

NZEI Vice President Judith Nowotarski says “if you are leaving young babies and children with unqualified people in an environment with no standardised rules on things like storing infant formula or sanitary nappy changing, you’re asking for problems.”

It is also now unclear who would take responsibility for monitoring children’s health and safety and whether regulations such as police vetting and first aid training for staff would still apply.

“Essentially the government is removing the safeguards around quality care and education for young children in these environments and quality matters when it comes to the health, safety and education of children and babies,” says Mrs Nowotarski.

ENDS

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