KEY POINTS:
New regulations to be introduced before the end of the year should stop creches at gyms and swimming pools from closing.
Licensing requirements for early childcare centres forced the closure of some creches in gyms and at swimming pools last year, sparking an 8284-signature petition started by gym
owner Sheila Scott.
Under the Education Act, early childcare centres catering for three or more children are required to be licensed and have a registered early childcare teacher on site.
When Ministry of Education officials explained the rules to unlicensed child care facilities in gyms and other recreation facilities, some centres closed.
Parliament's education and science select committee looked at the issue and it has recommended in a new report that the Ministry of Education introduce regulations for "limited attendance" centres as soon as possible.
"In the interim, we urge that the ministry take every possible measure to ensure that existing facilities are not forced to close," the committee said.
Education Minister Chris Carter said last November that the Government was looking at a more flexible interpretation of the rules after creches in places like gyms and swimming pools began closing because of the licensing requirements.
He confirmed on Radio New Zealand today the new rules would be introduced meaning such creches would be treated differently than those operating for eight hours a day under full licences.
He said the rule change would be brought in before the end of the year.
Licensing regulations had been brought in to "keep kids safe," he said.
"But I absolutely accept that where you're getting children staying in a very short time at a place where their parents are close by, then you don't need to the full regulation that you would in an eight-hour childcare centre."
Mr Carter said that after officials checked with centres to see if they wanted to become fully licensed, 29 centres in gyms had decided to do this as it was another "business opportunity" for them.
"For the others, I will be publishing later in the year new regulations which will have a lighter regulatory impact."
Ten creches had closed after the Ministry of Education investigated complaints from a parent or somebody else going to gyms.
When ministry officials had laid out the options to those creches, some had opted for getting full licences, Mr Carter said.
The others had been told the regulations were being reviewed which meant they would be restricted in the hours they could open but would not need the facilities a fully-licensed creche was required to have.
The minister last November issued an exemption for creches at Sunday schools after complaints these might be forced to close because of the licensing regulations.
That exemption covered premises that operated for less than four hours a week where a parent or caregiver was in close proximity to their children and could resume responsibility for them at short notice.
- NZPA
