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News 

Local early childhood service receives $1.5m grant

Trevor Mallard

01.09.2008

Pukeatua Te Kohanga Reo in Wainuiomata is to receive a grant of about $1.5 million from the Labour-led government to set up a new 70-place licensed early childhood education centre for local children, Hutt South MP Trevor Mallard said today.

"This is fantastic news for Wainuiomata children and their families - as research shows that early childhood education makes a big difference to how kids do later in life," Trevor Mallard said.

"A recent report by the Ministry of Education showed that children are now doing really well in reading and writing and NCEA in Wainuiomata primary and secondary schools since the school mergers.

"So we now need to focus on making sure there is good early childhood education available for the youngest local kids -- through grants such as this one to Pukeatua Te Kohanga Reo.

"Our Labour-led government has shown we are firmly committed to increasing participation in quality early childhood education, and giving our children the best possible start in life. Funding support over the years has demonstrated that. And there is more we want to do," Trevor Mallard said

"It was the Labour-led government that introduced 20 hours free early childhood education for three and four year olds  - in the face of stiff criticism and opposition from National.  Yet, we know this has also been a big help for struggling families.

"Labour's commitment to children is also why we continue invest so heavily in helping early childhood education services set up and operate," Trevor Mallard said.

The Wainuiomata early childhood education centre is one of 27 centres nationwide to receive Discretionary Grants Scheme and Establishment Funding grants worth $9.3 million in total and aimed at increasing the number of places for children at early childhood centres around the country, and helping centres that need to relocate.

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