Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Labour says early childhood particpation will drop

Updated at 5:26 pm on 1 December 2010

The Labour Party has published a survey it says shows parents will be paying more for less due to government funding cuts to some early childhood services.

In February next year, the Government will lower its subsidies for services where more than 80% of teachers are qualified.

The survey of more than 400 centres shows most respondents affected by the cut will raise their fees in excess of $20 a week.

About half expect to reduce the number of qualified staff.

Labour's early childhood education spokesperson Sue Moroney says that means parents will pay higher fees for lower quality.

But Education Minister Anne Tolley says the Government has to slow unsustainable growth in early childhood spending.

Mrs Tolley says she will be disappointed if services pass their costs on to parents.

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