Funding cuts threaten Kindergartens | Bay of Plenty News | Local News in Bay of Plenty

Kindergartens and early childhood centres across the Western Bay of Plenty are tightening their belts after the first instalment of reduced funds were distributed last night.

The funding cuts mean early childhood centres could close, qualified staff could be lost and parents face a hike in fees, leaving early childhood educators fuming.

The Budget has done away with two of the highest bands of subsidy for childcare centres, effectively cutting funds to centres with more than 80 per cent of their staff trained. To symbolise this, Western Bay early childhood centre staff took part in an 80 per cent day yesterday where they operated at 80 per cent.

Principal of Tauranga's Kindergarten Association, Peter Monteith, said examples of this were teaching without shoes or women wearing 80 per cent makeup.

"It's supposed to be a bit of fun while recognising the importance of the issue," Mr Monteith said.

"Some are wearing black, the colour of mourning ... but no children's learning is going to be affected by the day."

The first round of funding was distributed last night and for many centres, the cut has meant a loss of thousands of dollars.

Staff at Matua Plunket Kindergarten wore green t-shirts to recognise the day.

Manager Tracy Giacon said the centre would lose about $12,000 this payment, with a total loss of about $49,000 annually.

To help cover these costs, the centre had implemented "many changes". This included extending the hours of operation and including all-day children.

Mrs Giacon said this covered about $19,000 of the $49,000 shortfall. She said she had "no idea" how to fund the remaining $30,000 loss.

"Grants aren't going to cover it ... our fees have gone up but it's hard," she said.

Worst case scenario Matua Plunket Kindergarten - which has been operating for over 30 years - will have to close, Mrs Giacon said.

"We don't know how it's going to work but I think there will be a few [early childhood centres] looking at that possibility."

Head teacher at Welcome Bay Kindergarten Janet Cantlon said staff at the centre were passionate about the issue but did not take part in the 80 per cent event.

"It's not that we're not interested, but we're rushed off our feet filling in grants and finding ways to fund the shortfall because it will be significant. We're probably going to have to look at reintroducing donations, which kind of defeats the purpose of 20-hour free education."

Ms Cantlon said having only 80 per cent of staff qualified wasn't ideal and if it was any other industry, it would be unacceptable. "I still believe children need to be in front of people who know what they are doing."