Opinion: Labour’s Reworked ECE Policy Still Failing Local Families

Uncertainty remains for Invercargill childcare centres and families, as the Government rewrites its early childhood policy for the second time in a month.

Labour’s arrogance and lack of consultation around its revised Early Childhood Education policy means that it remains unworkable, despite assertions from the Prime Minister this week that the problems are fixed.

Labour’s Budget policy, to extend 20 hours ECE to two-year-olds, fell flat when it was announced four weeks ago, with 90 percent of the sector saying it was unworkable and could cause centres to close.

This week the Prime Minister tried to rectify the situation by removing the requirement for services to allow enrolments for only 20 Hours ECE.

But the policy is still not right, with sector saying it’s still not effective and is confusing and unclear.

As National’s Early Childhood Education spokesperson I’m astounded that this policy, which was described as one of the flagships of this year’s Budget, has had to be written twice and still misses the mark.

It reflects to me this Government’s slapdash attitude to policy making and its blatant disregard for the needs of the Early Childhood Education sector and families like those in Southland.

Labour should just give up and adopt National’s FamilyBoost policy which will give a rebate directly to parents to support families with childcare costs.

Under National, families earning up to $180,000 will receive a 25 per cent rebate on their early childhood education expenses, to a maximum of $3,900 per year depending on their income.

A National government will fix the economy to reduce the cost of living, lift incomes and deliver public services, like health and education, that Southland people deserve.

Published by arrangement.