Waihi Playcentre Funding Could be Cut By Up To 70%

Posted by Gold FM on 27/07/2011

The Waihi Playcentre is worried that they may lose up to 70% of their funding due to a government commissioned task force recommendation. They're asking for concerned parents, grand parents and anyone who can, to put in a submission of support for their playcentre.

The Minister of Education announced an eight week public consultation on the recommendations made in the ECE Taskforce Report. The consultation began on 15 June and will end when submissions close on Monday 8 August 2011.

The report acknowledges that the Government is facing severe fiscal constraints which is likely to continue for the next decade, and that Government needs to set the bench mark by setting minimum requirements for funding.

President of the Waihi Playcentre Leona Moore says the concern for them is that they will lose a large chunk of their funding because the emphasis is being put on 'professional service', which could mean unless parent driven early learning centres like Waihi Playcentre employ professional teachers, they will not qualify for some of the available funding.

Leona says the changes could mean parents who contribute a lot of time and energy into the running of the Waihi Playcentre will be forced to go to work to be able to afford the same services they are receiving now, and this will stretch the resources of the playcentre even further.

You are urged to make a submission (write a letter) to the :

ECE Task Force Consultation response

Ministry of Education

PO Box 1666

Wellington 6140

And make sure it arrives by the 8th of August, or you can email Leona at waihiplaycentre@gmail.com for a submission form.

Click here for Waihi Playcentre submission letter

You can also read the full report and get more information from www.taskforce.ece.govt.nz