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$8.9million to boost participation in early childhood education

Wednesday 5 August 2009, 8:51AM

By Anne Tolley

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Minister of Education Anne Tolley and Associate Minister of Education Dr Pita Sharples today announced $8.9 million in grants from the Discretionary Grants Scheme, set up to increase the number of places available in early childhood centres.


More than 400 new places in early childhood education centres will be available thanks to this newly announced Government funding.


“The grants include more than $5 million for new capital works in Counties Manukau, an area where participation rates are generally lower. Other projects will create 70 places in Samoan immersion centres, a new centre in Arrowtown, and services for Mori, Pasifika and refugee communities.


“Te Taura Hiri i Te Ao Te KMhanga Reo can now be built, to create 30 new places in south Taranaki; and five other kMhanga reo have grants to plan new buildings or refurbishments, for over 120 mokopuna.


“Planning grants have also been given to projects which include supporting the development for Mori immersion centres, and a Tongan immersion centre.


“This funding directly supports this Government’s priority of increasing participation in early childhood education and care. This funding will open up opportunities for education and increased choices for parents, families and whanau,” the Ministers said.


Successful applicants for Capital Grants:

 

  • Samoan Methodist Churches of Samoa (Manukau Parish) in New Zealand Incorporated - Malae Fesilafa'i Aoga Amata
  • Fountain of Knowledge Trust - Fountain of Knowledge (Manukau)
  • Barnardos New Zealand Incorporated - Barnardos Early Learning Centre - Sir Edmund Hillary (Manukau)
  • Anglican Trust for Women and Children - St Georges Pre-School (Manukau)
  • Feiloa'i Ma Uso Aoga Amata Trust - Feiloa'i Ma Uso Aoga Amata Trust Childcare Centre (Manukau)
  • Kindergarten NZ Limited - KINZ Mission Heights (Manukau)
  • Ngti Awa Social and Health Services Trust - Te Ara Ki Tua Early Childhood Centre (Whakatne)
  • Te KMhanga Reo National Trust on behalf of Te Taura Hiri i Te Ao Te KMhanga Reo (South Taranaki)
  • Barnardos New Zealand Incorporated - Barnardos Early Learning Centre - Te TMtara (Hamilton)
  • Arrowtown Community Preschool Incorporated - Arrowtown Community Preschool

Successful Applicants for Planning Grants:

  • Great Potentials Foundation - Taknini Early Learning & Family Centre (Papakura)
  • Northland Kindergarten Association - Ruawai Kindergarten (Kaipara)
  • Vaevae-Manava Tongan Community Charitable Trust - Akoteu Vaevae Manava (Auckland)
  • Barnardos New Zealand Incorporated Barnardos NZ - Te Ppapa (Auckland)
  • Te KMhanga Reo National Trust on behalf of Ng Kkaka Te KMhanga Reo (Hamilton); Te Amorangi Hpai O o Rongokako Te KMhanga Reo Hastings); Te Kinga o te Koraha Te KMhanga Reo (Wairoa); Kererk Te KMhanga Reo and Kauri Te KMhanga Reo (both Horowhenua).