Gloriavale school could lose funding worth millions

Gloriavale’s leaders have been told government funding for its three early childhood centres – which topped $2.4 million over a year – is likely to be at risk.

Gloriavale could lose its funding because it is opposed to identification numbers for preschoolers.

“Gloriavale … disagree with the use of a student number for their children,” said Katrina Casey, the ministry’s head of sector enablement and support.

“We visited them last year and most recently last month to discuss their concerns.”

Gloriavale spokesman Fervent Stedfast, when asked if the 530 strong community objected to using national student numbers, had no comment to make.

Nationwide, most children in early childhood education (ECE) have been assigned a national student number under a new government project.

The ministry says the numbers are necessary as they give it an accurate picture of enrolment, attendance and teaching at ECE centres.

The Education Review Office (ERO) in June awarded Gloriavale’s three “Garden of Children” early childhood centres the highest grade of being “very well placed”.

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