Napier and kindies
April 15th, 2011 at 3:42 pm by David FarrarHad a breakfast coffee this morning in Napier with local MP Chris Tremain.Was amused that around two out of three people walking past stopped to greet him – one seat where the MP has no problems with recognition. Also noted that he seemed to know most of them by name also – one of the nice things about provincial seats.
Chris also showed me the accounts of the local Napier Kindergarten Association. He noted in a local release:
The Napier Kindergarten Association is to be highly congratulated, says Chris Tremain MP for Napier.
“On Monday evening I attended the Napier Kindergarten Association AGM where it was disclosed that despite a change in Government funding the Association would deliver more services for less money,” says Chris Tremain.
“This is an outstanding result and goes to the heart of the Government’s drive to get more value for taxpayer dollars.
“The Association have achieved this result without reducing the 100% teacher qualified rates, without increasing costs to parents and without any loss of jobs, while at the same time increasing access to more kids. In addition their sound management ensures that more kids in disadvantaged communities around the country will get more access to ECE. This is an outstanding effort and the Board and senior management are to be congratulated.
So what did the NKA do:
“The Napier Kindergarten Association are a highly professional group of people absolutely devoted to the education of our children. They were concerned about the Budget 2010 decision that they would only be funded to 80% Teacher Qualified from February, 2011.
“But the Annual Report shows that the Association has risen to the challenge by introducing Friday afternoon sessions, opening for 5 more days, diversifying Marewa and Taradale to 5 day licenses, and shaving some non-essential expenses. This has resulted in more ECE places in Napier/Wairoa for less money, an outstanding result.
“The 2010 accounts presented at the AGM showed that the Association budgeted for a $139,000 loss, but actually made a surplus of $328,000. On top of this their balance sheet shows investments of $1.85 million and equity of $1.4 million. Despite the funding changes, it was reported that the forecast for 2011 shows a deficit of just $70,000, which is significantly smaller than the budgeted deficit in 2010.”
So the NKA has made a significant surplus, has kept 100% qualified teachers, has not out fees up, and has delivered more services. They’re an example for the country.
And the contrast to this is what happened to ECE under Labour. Labour increased funding by 200%, yet the number of children in ECE increased by only 1%.
April 15th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
Seems to be Labours MO. Increase ideologically driven funding (which justifies a tax-led assault on rick pricks) and show disinterest in outputs … and later scream “Slashing of Service!!!!!” at any suggestion of funding cuts.
Good on the NKA. Clearly smart operators.
Vote:April 15th, 2011 at 4:48 pm
The left will be furious – this Kindergarten association will be labelled traitors to the socialist and unionist cause. Then expect the left to scream about filthy Tory scum doctoring the books.
Vote:April 15th, 2011 at 5:02 pm
In Napier the Kindergarten can increase numbers and reduce costs because they are not run by socialists.
Vote:Wellington High School is still running dozens of Adult Education classes where the participants each chip in a few dollars because they are not run by socialists.
Socialists close down Adult Education and do not even offer the option of paying. They just say “Bloody National” Socialists choose to charge parents for ECE simply to piss them off about National.
April 15th, 2011 at 7:09 pm
Surely NKA in the eyes of socialists will be seen in the similar vain as zero point energy, it simply can not exist, it defies the physical laws of the lefty universe.
Vote:April 15th, 2011 at 9:18 pm
It does show though, how much you’ve fallen for the nonsense about “100% qualified teachers”. For many, many years Kindergartens and the like managed with few “fully qualified” teachers, and did very well. The qualified schtick is all about enforcing higher pay rates on the sector and nothing about the actual quality of the “education” given to pre-school children.
Vote:April 16th, 2011 at 7:44 am
DPF, you and Chris T. must both be financially illiterate.
Why anyone would want to use 2010 accounts (i.e. year ends 31 December 2010) to comment on funding changes that occur on 1 February 2011 is beyond me.
Equally humourous is your statement they’re an example for us all. Yep, a non-profit organisation banking surpluses of 328k, 274k and 415k in the last 3 years on the back of taxpayer funding is an example alright, but not the kind of example you’re thinking.
Vote:April 16th, 2011 at 9:29 am
@ ‘Robboy’
The quote was
“The 2010 accounts presented at the AGM showed that the Association budgeted for a $139,000 loss, but actually made a surplus of $328,000. On top of this their balance sheet shows investments of $1.85 million and equity of $1.4 million. Despite the funding changes, it was reported that the forecast for 2011 shows a deficit of just $70,000, which is significantly smaller than the budgeted deficit in 2010.”
Note the parts that clearly shows
…(the) reported..forecast for 2011 contrasted against the 2010 accounts
Hope this helps you with your literacy & comprehension challenges.
Vote:April 16th, 2011 at 9:56 am
LOL. You’re comparing a 2011 budget against a 2010 budget, not the 2010 accounts. Join the class of illiterates.
Nothing wrong with my comprehension, pal.
” … where it was disclosed that despite a change in Government funding the Association would deliver more services for less money … ”
a) change hasn’t happened yet
Vote:b) not hard to achieve that when you’re banking six figure surpluses off taxpayers money. Go and look at their accounts online for 2008 and 2009 if you want to make any serious comment.
April 16th, 2011 at 10:35 am
The comparison is a 2011 forecast with a 2010 Accounts.
It happens all the time, you know, like, comparing a forecast/budget to last year actuals.
It’s called planning.
Those six figure surpluses occurred under which funding framework ‘Robboy’?
Vote:April 16th, 2011 at 11:58 am
Why is it good to have 100% qualified teachers? If I had a choice of two kindergarten teachers and all I knew is that one had a degree from a teachers college, I would go with the other one.
Vote: