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A Papakura early childhood education centre (ECE) rolled out the red carpet – presented a blue ribbon at least – for Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour recently.
The latest addition to the nationwide Kids’ World Education Group, the new ECE centre increases opportunities for working parents locally, Seymour says.
“I’m grateful to have been invited to the inauguration of Adventureland Early Learning Centre. It’s an amazing centre run by amazing people.
“This ECE centre is a great example of what can be achieved by the private sector. They invested their own money and took on the associated risk. The result [is] a state-of-the-art building built by an architect to make the most from the space so children can enjoy it.”
The government recognises the role ECE providers play in our communities, he says.
“The early years of education matter. The experiences children have in their first five years shape their future learning, development and wellbeing. That’s why quality, accessibility and affordability in early childhood education remain so important.
“The government recognises the role that providers play in delivering these outcomes on the ground. The government is committed to ensuring that the sector is supported to meet growing demand while maintaining high standards of care and education. The teachers and staff’s work is vital and it makes a lasting difference in the lives of children and their whanau every single day.”
Since Kids’ World Education Group’s first centre was established by Surjit Juneja in 2014, the network has grown to include centres across Auckland, New Plymouth, Wellington and Manawatu.
“I didn’t know so many people would join me in this vision,” Juneja says. “I started a centre because watching children thrive gave me a sense of achievement that no other work ever had. I never knew it wasn’t just the start of a centre but the beginning of something much bigger.”
