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Download AudioA social policy expert says it’s time for Government to admit that privatised early childhood education isn’t working.
University of Auckland honorary academic Sophie Moullin, who recently completed a Ph.D. in sociology and social policy at Princeton University, says bringing early childcare into the education system will have wide-ranging benefits – especially for non-profit Maori and Pasifika centres.
“That’s what governments do right? That’s what they’re good at doing.. that’s what we do for primary schools. From 5 (years) we’ve got to make sure that everybody between five and six has a place at a school and we should do that for younger kids too,” she says.
Dr Moullin says including not-for-profit childcare, like kohanga reo, in the system will automatically mean equitable pay and conditions for staff, and better certainty for centres – but the biggest benefit will be reduced costs for parents.
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