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A population mini-boom in South Auckland and the Government's push to get more children into preschool could mean an extra 19,000 early childhood education places will be needed by 2011, figures from Labour show.
Labour's early childhood education policy, released by Education Minister Chris Carter yesterday, said more than $100 million was spent on developing 6000 extra places in community-based early childhood education in the past decade.
Population projections suggested 19,000 more places would be needed by 2011.
"A predicted mini population boom, particularly in South Auckland, will place a strain on the capacity of the early childhood sector," the policy says, "particularly in combination with making 20 Hours Free available to all 3 and 4-year-olds."
The party promised a nationwide plan - including expanding a discretionary grants scheme used to set up and expand preschool services - to tackle the shortfall.
Mr Carter said the party would retain its 20 hours early childhood education scheme for 3 and 4-year-olds, which had almost 89,000 enrolments since starting last year.
"We know a quality early childhood education lays the platform for educational success in later life and gives young Kiwis the best opportunity to reach their full potential."
Early Childhood Council chief executive Sarah Farquhar said centres were under increasing financial pressure, and she expected they would be disappointed at the lack of recognition in Labour's policy statement of that issue.
She said there was nothing new in the policy, and no surprises for centres.
Under National's early childhood education policy, made public in July, the 20 hours scheme would be retained and made more flexible.
National's early childhood education spokeswoman, Paula Bennett, said the scheme's existing subsidies and fee controls would be maintained, and centres' staff ratios and regulations would be reduced.
