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Local early childhood education centres in Wairarapa will be able to apply to pilot a new programme to help improve families parenting skills, local MP Georgina Beyer announced today.
"This is a great opportunity for our region to help to support families and to improve outcomes and increase opportunities for our young children. It provides ECE centres in our area with the chance to be involved in this exciting new project," said Ms Beyer.
"We will be able to demonstrate that Wairarapa values supporting families to be involved in their children's learning."
The programme will provide parent education, social support and outreach activities to families. Local licensed and chartered early childhood education centres in the Masterton territorial local authority are able to apply for the project in the first phase.
The programmes will provide:
- parenting education at early childhood education centres, or nearby community facilities, to develop parenting skills
- social support through parent support groups and activities, at the early childhood education centre or from other social support services
- outreach activities in conjunction with other social services specifically for vulnerable children and vulnerable parents.
Ms Beyer said the project aimed at helping families at risk of poor outcomes who have children aged from birth to three years.
"Besides supporting families the pilot programmes will help government to get a better understanding of what works in parent support programmes in New Zealand," said Ms Beyer.
"We know that quality early childhood education makes a positive difference to the learning outcomes for children. By linking the early childhood education centre to the home and community we will be able to strengthen services and get more children involved.
"This initiative will also help to develop the centre's understanding of the home environment and encourage parents to take an active role in the centre and their child's learning."
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