Some areas likely to miss free childcare pledge

Labour faces an uphill battle to fulfil its promise of free preschool education at community-owned centres throughout the country within two years.

Figures collected by the Weekend Herald show that in the Auckland region alone, almost 55,000 children are enrolled at 1200 services, including sessional and full day care at a range of education and care centres, kindergartens, playcentres, home-based networks and kohanga reo.

There are also a range of playgroups, Pacific Islands early childhood groups and nga puna kohungahunga (preschool groups).

Greater Auckland has 695 education and care centres, which will come under the most pressure in trying to meet demand for the 20 free hours a week.

Of those, just 37 per cent (257) are community-owned and therefore eligible under Labour's policy, and just 178 are all-day centres, which would be necessary for the majority or working parents.

For children aged 3 and 4, there are about 4100 places available throughout the region, compared to almost 10,000 places in private centres.

Parents in outlying suburbs are likely to face the biggest struggle.

Drury, Silverdale, Great Barrier Island, Whitford, Beachlands and Warkworth are among at least 11 areas with one or more privately owned centres but no community provision for childcare.

In Orewa, there are six all-day private early childhood centres and only two community-based centres, both of which are sessional.

Pukekohe has 184 licensed places at six all-day privately owned centres but only 60 in their non-profit counterparts.

Further out of the region Paeroa, Te Aroha, Katikati, Waihi and Ngaruawahia also have private centres but no community provision.

Nationwide, there are 1547 all-day centres of which 40 per cent are community-owned, offering 13,800 places to 3- and 4-year-olds

Of those, Auckland, Bay of Plenty and Northland stand out as having the lowest percentage of community centres with about 30 per cent each.

There are only two regions where there are more all-day community centres - Wellington (52 per cent) and Otago (56 per cent). However, Hawkes Bay, Nelson and Marlborough have more community than private places for 3- and 4-year-olds.