$2.8m extra for early childhood places

An extra 179 new places will be funded in early childhood centres from discretionary grants announced yesterday by Education Minister Trevor Mallard.

They include 45 places for a new kindergarten in Silverdale.

Some of the $2.8 million in funding will retain 85 at-risk places through, for example, upgrading unsuitable buildings.

Mr Mallard said the grants would go to low socio-economic, rural, and Maori and Pacific Island groups.

The scheme provided capital funding of $8.8 million a year.

The target centres are Sathya Sai, Manukau East; Titoki playcentre, Northland; Waitoa playcentre, Piako; YMCA Preschool, Piako; Mt Cook Preschool, Wellington; Dyer St Childcare Centre, Hutt South; Masterton Christian Childcare Centre, Wairarapa; Goldfields Educare, Clutha Southland; Manurewa Te Kohanga Reo, South Auckland; Raumanaga Te Kohanga Reo, Whangarei; Matauri Te Kohanga Reo, Northland; Tarimano Te Kohanga Reo, Rotorua; Ngaio Te Kohanga Reo, Wellington; Silverdale Kindergarten; New Richmond Kindergarten, Nelson.