Why is the 20 hours free policy more recently known as the 20 hours policy?

In 2008 the National party proposed in their election promises to include Kōhanga Reo and Play-centres, to increase targeted funding over seven years from July 2010. In addition to make the six hour daily limit more flexible for parents, the National party planned to include five year olds as well as three to four year olds to enable parents more access to allocated funding. They also discussed how the term 20 hours “free” was misleading so therefore they would need to change the name to the 20 hours policy.

The ECE targeted funding changes can be reviewed at Ministry of Education: ECE funding changes.

When National was elected into government their proposed policies were put forward to invest in ECE 20 hours. But because of economic recession and the priority the government puts on increased participation for example “Māori, Pasifika, and children from low socio-economic areas” (Early childhood services funding, 2009) their top priority was directing their funds towards this rather than the 20 hours policy.

I feel this video clip captures the political discussion in cabinet effectively and demonstrates how the current changes towards the 20 hours policy are debated.

References:

APN Holdings NZ.  (2010, January 29). Has 20 hours free achieved its aim?. NZ Herald. Retrieved from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/news/print.cfm?objectid=10622941

Early childhood services funding. (2009, June 30). [Video]. Retrieved April 2, 2011, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC4WzvHd2JM
Froese, N. (2008). Early effects of free early childhood education: Report to the ministry of Education. Retrieved April 3, 2011, from http://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/publications/ece/30449/30476 

Ministry of Education. (2011). ECE funding changes. Retrieved April 2, 2011, from http://www.minedu.govt.nz/theMinistry/Budget/Budget2010/Factsheets/ECEFundingChanges.aspx

National. (2008). Policy 2008, Education: Early childhood care and education. Retrieved April 2, 2011, from http://www.national.org.nz/files/.___0_0_education_ece.pdf