What is the future of kindergartens?
The Auckland Kindergarten Association is proposing kindergartens extend to seven hours a day and throughout the school holidays. Worried parents think this will change the unique nature of kindergarten, costing families both financially and in terms of quality time spent with their children. AKA says this is in response to families' changing needs, lack of funding and survival in a competitive market. Kathryn Ryan speaks with AKA Chief Executive Tanya Harvey, along with Sarah Fleming, former Chairperson of Roskill South parents committee, who is campaigning against changes which she thinks could see kindergartens become more akin to daycare centres.