ECE Taskforce Report Findings and Analysis

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 8 th 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

ECE Taskforce Report Findings and Analysis

by NZEI North on Jun 29, 2011

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