Kindergartens Aotearoa welcomes the increase in learning support funding announced in the budget which will see an increase in early intervention teachers and reducing waitlists for children who need support.

The government has announced $2.5 billion over four years for Learning Support services, most of which is targeted at schools.

However, the base funding for early childhood services has been increased by less than inflation, so it amounts to a cut.

Inflation for the past year has been 2.5 per cent, while the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has been 2.3 per cent.

Kindergartens Aotearoa’s Amanda Coulston says by not adjusting for inflation this budget means families will have to spend more on early childhood education.

“Families are already struggling with high costs and this budget will not help most families with young children.”

“All children should be able to benefit from quality early childhood education”, she says.