Early childhood centres to raise fees - survey

Photo / Hawkes Bay Today.

Early childhood centres expect to have to raise fees by between $10 and $50 a week next year because of funding cuts, a new survey has shown.

Current funding covers 100 per cent qualified teachers at the centres, and it is going to be reduced to cover 80 per cent.

The Government says there has been a budget blowout and has acknowledged some parents could be affected by fee increases.

The survey was carried out by the New Zealand Childcare Association (NZCA) and reported on 199 early childhood centres.

"The survey paints a troubling picture of confidence in the early childhood sector," said NZCA chief executive Nancy Bell.

"Centres are expecting a large shortfall from the reduction of funding, with over 70 per cent of respondents forced to pass some of the shortfall on to parents."

She said centres were looking at fee increases of between $10 and $50 a week which would be a significant amount for parents with children in full-time care.

"Most services expect to lose between $20,000 and $50,000, the equivalent of a teacher's salary," Ms Bell said.

"One of our concerns is the impact on quality with ratios, professional development and the amount of qualified teachers on the line."

She said NZCA members were committed to 100 per cent qualified teachers, but didn't know how they would retain them under the new funding regime.

"The centres that have worked hard to achieve 100 per cent are now disadvantaged," she said.

"Qualified teachers are a key component of quality early childhood and every child should have access to them."

The Government has announced a taskforce that will examine all aspects of early childhood education.

It is concerned that too many children, particularly in low income areas, are missing out.

Ms Bell said she hoped the taskforce would carefully consider the survey "and recommend a sustainable funding model which supports the delivery of high quality early childhood education".

- NZPA