The Government was warned that the cost and availability of early childhood education would mean beneficiaries would be unable to meet its order to have their children enrolled, official documents reveal.
Ministry of Education documents identified a risk that those on welfare would be unable to enrol their children in early childhood education, despite their best efforts.
New social obligations require beneficiaries to take reasonable steps to enrol their children in early childhood education from the age of three until they start school, or have their benefits cut.
The Green Party, which obtained the documents under the Official Information Act, said it showed Social Development Minister Paula Bennett had ignored the facts when crafting the new requirements.
"The Ministry of Education told Paula Bennett that the primary concern was that there wasn't enough provision for early childhood education for 3 year olds, and that the key barrier for Maori, Pasifika and lower-socioeconomic families was suitable supply," said Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei.