ECE Taskforce Report

June 2011

What is it? The Task Force was set up by the

government to advise on policy It is the most significant ECE policy document

for several years It recommends wide-ranging reforms A consultation is now being held and is open

till the 8th of August

What does the report recommend Major change Quality services, qualified teachers, better

ratios, smaller group sizes Targeted rather than universal funding and

the end of free ECE Market pay rates and by extension the end of

pay parity

Positives Makes the case for sound investment in ECE. (In

fact, suggests all other investments should be compared to ECE to judge value for money)

Makes the case for quality. Regulating for 80 % qualified teachers, funding to encourage 100 %, better ratios for under twos, smaller group sizes, more focus on rewarding quality services closing underperforming services.

More positives Recommends more support for Pasifika and

Maori services Focuses on accessibility for Maori, Pasifika,

special needs and children from low socioeconomic backgrounds

Recommends a focus on leadership, and on a culture of continuous improvement

Recommends research programmes to generate quality practice

More positives Suggests only funding new services that

cater for under-represented groups – the planned provision we have been calling for

Recommends higher standards in reporting to parents

Recommends a trial for new funding system, and extension consultation with the sector as changes are introduced

Negatives It appears to suggest kindergartens come out of the

State Sector. This seems outside the Taskforce brief and an ideological stance, with no supporting evidence

Market pay rates are advocated, although this does not align with the research cited in the report

The limited accountability on private services for use of public money disappears

The idea of universal free 20 hours disappears. Some families will pay more

More negatives While money is intended to transfer to

disadvantaged children, targetting will be problematic and possibly ineffective

The proposed new funding system is complex

Services may be involved in means testing – ie teachers

Possible negatives Children will be identified as priority or non

priority. This could be stigmatising Performance measurement focus could

narrow the curriculum in the same way as national standards

Accountability and performance measurements and greater ERO role could be onerous

Summary The report is wide ranging and complex. It

includes 11 essays on different topics. Its focus on quality and investment is

welcome Its advocacy for market forces for teachers

pay undermines this focus Some recommendations may be

counterproductive or have unintended consequences

What you can do Complete the consultation. This is a chance to

have your say about issues we have been campaigning about.

The consultation is by an online survey which you can find on www.lead.ece.govt.nz along with a summary of the report recommendations.

You can download the survey first to read it remember you don’t need to answer everything!

You can download our key points for submissions on www.nzei.org.nz

Responses are due by 8th August 2011