Childcare – Fears profit put before kids
NZ Herald 21 April 2015
Educators fear profits are coming before kids as the number of commercial operators entering the early childhood market continues to grow.
Critics say the large, for-profit franchises are driving out community organisations, including kindergartens.
Teachers spoken to by the Herald were concerned about what they had seen in some large centres including evidence of poor care with staff not recognising children’s speech impediments or hearing problems.
However the largest operators say their business-based structures allow them to put more money back into the centres, including professional development for teachers.
Academics, unions, teachers and opposition MPs believe there are quality issues in early childhood education which can be linked to the rise of for-profit centres.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11435722
