UNESCO World Conference on Early Childhood Care and Education

At the end of September, people from around the world will gather in Moscow for the UNESCO (United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) World Conference on Early Childhood Care and Education. This conference is a first for UNESCO, which is a strong advocate for the right of every child to participate in high quality early childhood education.

UNESCO believes ECE is fundamental to the growth and prosperity of a nation. New Zealand has a significant contribution to make, both at the conference and in the sector. We have a reputation as world leaders in ECE and are celebrated as being a country that has integrated education and care, invests in our youngest citizens, and believes in all teachers being highly qualified in delivering our own unique curriculum. 

The 2000+ people who marched in Tauranga a few weeks ago reflects the ground swell of concern in the community that our world class ECE is at risk: that the funding cuts in February will jeopardise the quality of services and reduce children's ability to participate, especially if parents need to pay more. Why would the government want that to happen?