Increased Participation
355 responses gave their views on increasing participation in quality ECS. Some responses discussed important concepts underpinning increased participation, while others focused on regulations and policies to increase participation.
Concepts
Support was expressed in 107 submissions (27%) for increasing enrolments and improving access for those who do not currently use ECS.
60 responses (15%) wanted greater recognition, and some mentioned funding, for quality ECE at home by mothers, especially for younger children.
42 responses (11%) saw value in more education for parents about the importance of ECE for children.
38 responses (10%) sought greater recognition for the importance of ECE as an important, if not the most important stage in life.
36 responses (9%) supported an increase in enrolments but not at the expense of increased group size.
31 responses (8%) wanted health sector workers, and in particular Plunket, to give more information to parents about ECS.
28 responses (7%) believed that if services could become more culturally sensitive increased participation would follow.
Along similar lines, 24 responses (6%) noted that if services were of good quality increased participation would follow.
Changes to regulations and policy
The most popular suggestion for changes to regulation or policy that would support increased participation in ECE was for a revision to the Childcare Subsidy. 141 responses (36%) made this suggestion.
Two ideas attracted 89 responses (23%) each. The first was to promote the benefits of ECE though initiatives such as Feed the Mind. The second was for proportionately more ECS funding to be given to services with more higher needs families
85 responses (22%) favoured policies and regulations that supported all children's access and right to ECE.
77 submissions (20%) believed that participation would be enhanced if additional funding allowed fees to be decreased.
A review of rules and regulations - described by some as reducing the paper war - was supported by 72 responses (18%) as a means of increasing participation.
Provision of transport was suggested by 51 responses (13%) as another means of increasing participation.
42 responses (11%) sought more research into the reasons for low participation.
26 responses (7%) argued for a planning approach to the issue of increasing participation.
Two other ideas were that: the Ministry of Education could provide facilities 24 responses (6%); itinerant teachers could be provided for playgroups 22 responses (6%); and, that more support could be given to local initiatives for increasing participation 20 responses (5%).