Labour’s broken promise of free childcare

One of the Labour Party’s key election promises was to make 20 hours of free childcare available each week to three and four-year-olds – but in Parliament Parekura Horomia has finally admitted that the promise hasn’t been kept. 92,000 kids were supposed to receive the entitlement, but due to insufficient government funding for the scheme, childcare centres can't participate. For example, in Auckland and Wellington nearly 75% of childcare centres cannot provide the service, and the even amongst the centres throughout the country that are participating, some are charging ‘optional charges’ in addition. Labour is backtracking, saying now that ‘up to’ 92,000 kids will benefit.