Hope this finds you all well and fighting the winter ills and chills! I know some of you really enjoyed the CECEAA conference last month in Waikanae.

To what do we need to be responding in the present climate of ECE??

• 1 July will see equity funding increasing by 70%! How many of your centres are eligible and receiving equity funding at present? The accountability and criteria will be released soon for this, so will keep you informed. Equity funding is explained on the ministry web site leadece. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you need to know more.
• There is no increase in the ECE bulk funding, as money is directed to the equity funding which is for  low socio-economic, Maori and Pasifika, and special needs. If you have a higher than normal % in these categories you may well qualify for equity funding. Your RS61 which is due very soon will give you an idea of your ethnicity. Convert your numbers to %.
• A reality check on your hours of operation and whether you are sessional or all day would be a worthwhile exercise. The difference in the funding per child per hour is considerably more for all day and yet requires only minor shifts for the way you operate in order to qualify! I am very happy to discuss this with you. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and I will respond or set up a phone call.
• When did you last increase your parent fees? As there is no increase in Government funding you need to consider this.
• Employment agreements need to be kept up to date under employment law introduced 1 July 2011. A one page variation signed by both parties is required for any changes.

We do need to keep abreast of the changing needs in our communities so that we are responsive and keeping our edge in the ECE market. If we keep operating in the same way that were even a few years back we may be overtaken by the increasing chains and’ for profit’ centres. Baptists were some of the first to step in to the education and care sector back in the 1980s and it would be a pity to lose that edge. We need to know our community and its needs so that we can plan strategically.

Please be praying for Christchurch and the loss of community ECE centres there. Pray that the community centres will be re-established. Does this provide an opportunity for the churches in Christchurch?

Blessings to you all in the God-given provision and role you have to reach in to your communities to make a difference for children and families.

Let’s not be caught sleeping!

Royce Dewe

Got an early childhood-related query? Contact Royce Dewe on phone  06 345 3008, mobile 021 150 1423 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it her.