Early Childhood Education

 
Early Childhood Education

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Submission on the Social Security (Benefit Categories and Work Focus) Amendment Bill

To the Social Services Committee:

Introduction
On 11th September 2012, Social Development Minister Paula Bennett announced a welfare reform detailed in the Social Security (Benefit Categories and Work Focus) Amendment Bill to make early childhood education compulsory for all those of beneficiary (McSoriley, 2012). One of the social obligations required by all beneficiary parents is to enrol their children in a licensed kindergarten or early childhood service for at least 15 hours a week from age 3. Parents who will not adhere to the rules without a proper reason will face 50 per cent cuts to their welfare payments (Bennett, 2012).  This decision stunned most of the people in New Zealand, and believed it to be “a revolution to our social policy” (Collins, 2012). Early childhood experts from around the world started to debate on whether this new scheme is necessary, and questioned on its achievability. This paper will discuss issues surrounding ECE such as poverty, health, and the possibility of realizing the dream. In addition, the paper will also discuss the role of socio justice in ECE and give recommendations.
This submission is written by Mindy, in the aim to address concerns and provide recommendations for the newly established welfare reform on compulsory pre-schooling for the beneficiary.  I am a final year student studying in Auckland University towards a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Teaching) degree. I do not wish to be heard or appear before the committee to support my submission.  If others make a similar submission, I would not consider presenting myself with others at a hearing. I can be contacted by mobile on 0210375272, or by email at [email protected].
Support for the bill	
The intention of making early childhood education compulsory for those of beneficiaries is a way which I believe will help reinstate the core notion of New Zealand education; to provide individual with more choices and have a large focus, strong view on equality and social justice; to aim and minimise gaps between the rich and the poor (Rata, 2008). Early child hood education is necessary as it gives children an equal platform to make their future successful. While attending these classes, they have an opportunity to form solid values, behaviours, attitudes and acquire skills that are vital later on in life. It is also necessary to advocate for ECE as it will be free for every family in New Zealand. The government is committed to making ECE affordable to all families unlike other education systems which are accessible to a handful people. In addition, ECE fosters care to the children and it raises a generation that is responsible. Moreover, this type of education system emphasizes on the necessity to lead peaceful lives hence, ensures harmony in the society. 
According to Reynolds, the CEO for ECE council, children are stubborn during their early days in ECE centres because parents do not have adequate time for them (Robert 2012). Reports also indicate that when such children join junior schools they do not know how to hold pencils or even read letter. This is where ECE fits perfectly as it prepares children well enough to catch up with others in higher levels of learning. Reynolds also believes that once children miss out on this golden opportunity they lose the backbone of a successful life. The government also benefits by cutting down financial and social costs that would result from negative behaviours of the children.
Practicality of ECE
It is challenging for any government to raise a failing generation after the other. It is evident that children who are raised from such backgrounds tend to go through the same cycle over and over with their children. They live in poverty, imprisonment, unemployment and are dependent on others for upkeep. Government after government in New Zealand has failed to reach and support these children. This is because the current education system eliminates ECE to those who require it desperately (Barry2001). As a result, Early Childhood Council is supportive of the government in encouraging parent to enrol their children for ECE. Early Childhood Council is aware that this has never been tried in New Zealand or anywhere else on the planet, but this is not a ticket to failure.
Nevertheless the question now is will it be enough? Social Development Minister Paula Bennett commented to the New Zealand Herald addressing the fact that although the new bill will be forced on all beneficiaries, however, the whole purpose of the bill is certainly only about support and encouragement and to target those which the government categorised as most vulnerable (Bennett, 2012). Hence, the beneficiaries are expected to cooperate and enrol their children in ECE centres in order to encourage the government an