KEY POINTS:
The Government is looking at introducing a more flexible interpretation of rules that are forcing some creches in places such as gyms and swimming pools to shut.
Newly promoted Education Minister Chris Carter was yesterday questioned about the issue, which has sparked an 8000-signature petition to Parliament.
The petition was started by National MPs Nick Smith and Paula Bennett, and Sheila Scott at CityFitness gym in Nelson in September.
Ms Bennett, who has complained about the new rules that require creches to be licensed if they care for more than two children, said previously that gyms and swimming pools around the country were closing their childcare facilities rather than go through the licensing process.
When she raised the issue in September, then Education Minister Steve Maharey said the safety of children was paramount.
"Creches at swimming pools and gyms are able to operate if they are licensed, and this ensures that children are safe and are cared for by qualified staff," he said.
Yesterday, Mr Carter indicated a change in approach.
The minister was asked if officials were looking at introducing some flexibility so that the rules applied to creches at gyms and swimming pools were not the same as those applied to full-time creches.
Mr Carter said the same rules were being applied across the board at the moment. "We are looking for some flexibility in that."
- NZPA
