Your family - your choice

16 July 2008

Because the pre-school years are crucial in the life of a child. the National Party believes that all children should grow up in a family environment with love, understanding, and happiness, and that parents – not the state – have the primary responsibility for the upbringing and development of their children.

Chris Auchinvole, National MP, says, “that’s why it’s important that our policies for early childhood reflect what families and parents want. That’s why National will improve the choice and quality of early childhood care and education available to parents.

“Last week, National announced that we will keep the 20 Hours scheme for three- and four-year-olds and maintain existing subsidies and fee controls. Thousands of parents are using the scheme and we do not want to cause them financial uncertainty.

“We will, however, improve the scheme to make it much more flexible and available to more children, while giving parents the freedom to choose which facility best suits them. We will also remove the misleading word ‘free’ from its title and instead call the scheme 20 Hours ECE.

“National will:
Remove the six-hours-a-day limit.

•  Include playcentres and kohanga reo in 20 Hours ECE.

•  Provide 20 Hours ECE to five-year-olds.

•  Investigate more frequent payment methods.

“We will also improve staff ratios, reduce bureaucracy and regulations, and boost participation rates.

“To combat teacher shortages, we plan to promote working while training, allow qualified English-speaking foreign teachers to qualify after an intensive six-week programme, and allow Montessori, Steiner, and playcentre qualifications to count towards a degree.

“Staff ratios for under two-year-olds are important. We believe the current 1:5 ratio is too high. We do not think one staff member will always be enough to ensure all five infants can be guaranteed the high level of attention they may need. Over time, we will reduce that ratio to 1:4.

“We will also ensure that, after 2012, sessions for the under-twos in teacher-led early childhood centres are staffed by at least 50% qualified teachers.

“Our plan for early childhood care and education backs parents. It recognises that most parents will make the right decisions for their children, and it gives them the flexibility to do that.”

Community Comment, West Coast Messenger

20 June  2008

"Living on the smell of an oily rag ….” was how my brothers and I were described, living on a subsistence budget developing a family farm in Northland in the 1970’s. We could only just afford the basics – Food, Shelter and Clothing.

Someone said to me the other day people can’t afford oily rags to live on the smell of anymore. In the last six months Food, Shelter (mortgages and rent), and Supplies (clothing and fuel), have become a real stretch for many.  National has suggested we should take a bit longer over the Emissions Trading Scheme the present Government is rushing through – the effect on Coaster’s living costs could be proportionally higher than on city dwellers.

The economic future of the Coast should be secure if we continue with mines, farming and tourism. These need to be backed by good immigration policies and good central government services: delivery in health, education, law and order and communication systems. Progressive personal tax reductions will be necessary to help families meet living costs and have more of their own money in their banks, purses and pockets.

I will be keeping the present Minister of Health’s attention on the changes the recent DHB enquiry has stipulated. (Hopefully the Board members and medical staff will continue to have their voices heard too).

A number of people contribute big-time to community life. I’d like to suggest Arthur Graves, Principal of Greymouth High School, should take a special bow as he bows out of his present position.  Arthur, thanks.

Politicians get interesting requests – a Blaketown resident, who ’phones regularly with good advice, recently asked me to convey a message to Dr Cullen: “The Electoral Finance Act has taken away Human Rights, and the only rights left for democracy are the Last Rites like the two Catholic Priests in High Street dispense – and what does he think of that!”

At the Justice Select Committee meeting I asked Dr Cullen what he thought of that… as the chuckles subsided he said he noted that the West Coast still had original ideas, and clergy…. Coasters do have original ideas, and they are often right…….

Thanks a lot, 
Chris A

Community Comment

February 2008

March 2008

April 2008