Large group care to blame for kids lacking the basics

New Zealand's leading in-home childcare and training provider PORSE says the growth of large group childcare is to blame for the lack of skills new entrants are taking into schools.

Concern has been raised by a number of school principals who have noticed a steady increase in five year olds starting school unable to count or write their name, despite years of pre-school education. 

PORSE Founding Director Jenny Yule said the Early Childhood curriculum (Te Whaariki) is not the reason why children's pre-school education is suffering.

"Young children will learn so long as they have a caring one on one relationship with an adult who understands teaching through play," Ms Yule said. 

"With 93% of children enrolled in group based care at a very young age, it now seems very likely that the personal goals of childhood and the smooth running of a large group centre are at odds with each other," Ms Yule said.

Ms Yule suggested the Ministry of Education was placing too much emphasis on group based care for young babies.

The MoE is professionalising the sector from the top down but still missing the boat when it comes to meeting the needs of babies and young children, whose basic right and need is to be nurtured in a small group with someone who feels real affection for them.

Research shows that the physical environment influences children's learning and well being, and studies into neuroscience and attachment raise serious concerns about young children being stressed when spending long hours in large group childcare.

Ms Yule said the Ministry needed to rethink training for the Early Childhood Sector.

Training the educators is an important feature of PORSE's success and we are constantly receiving feedback from new entrant teachers on how well prepared for learning the PORSE children are when they start school.