Free early childhood education on track, minister says

Education Minister Steve Maharey has claimed the government is on track to meet its commitment to provide 20 hours a week free early childhood education from July 2007.

Speaking to the Early Childhood Annual Conference in Rotorua, Mr Maharey outlined further details of the 20-hour free policy which has met resistance from some parts of the sector.

"In line with existing funding rules, there will be a six-hour-a-day cap on free provision. Early childhood services can ask parents for donations, but will not be able to charge for any of the first 20 hours," Mr Maharey said.

"Parents will need to enrol children in a licensed early childhood service in order to access the free hours."

Some kindergartens have expressed concern about the funding model saying it interferes with the way they are currently run.

Others believe the money will be spent on low quality child care and not education.

Mr Maharey said the Early Childhood Advisory Committee, which included representatives from across the sector, would continue to work through details of the policy.

"Input from the early childhood sector will be vital to ensuring this policy is workable and practical for both parents and the providers of the service."

The government is budgeting to spend around $500 million in early childhood education in the 2005/2006 financial year, an increase of $234 million since 1999.

Funding for the 20-hour free policy was the subject of an upcoming Budget proposal.

- NZPA