“We have seen five-year-old children arriving at school with the language skills of two-year-olds, and we needed to take action,” Education Minister Erica Stanford said.
Her answer is ENRICH, an oral language programme that will expand from 65 to 525 early childhood education services across the country.
Stanford announced the rollout on 2 July at BestStart East Tamaki.
The centre said it was honoured to welcome her, and that the Minister and researchers read with babies and joined mat time literacy activities during the visit.
“Language skills are critical for later educational success,” Stanford said.
“They also play a key role in developing the social and emotional skills that support positive behaviour.”
“The earlier children are identified and supported, the better their outcomes are likely to be.”
“This is about giving every child the strongest possible start, so they arrive at school ready to learn and ready to thrive.”
ENRICH supports children aged 18 months to five, and gives early childhood teachers practical tools and coaching to strengthen language through everyday interactions, play and conversation.
The programme was designed at the University of Otago by Professor Elaine Reese and Dr Elizabeth Schaughency.
It was tested through Kia Timata Pai, also known as Best Start, a randomised trial established in 2020 across 136 early learning centres run by BestStart.
The first wave in 2021 and 2022 involved 1481 children with an average age of just under 21 months, their parents, and 1625 teachers.
BestStart runs nine further centres in this area, at Baverstock Oaks, Botany Junction, Botany Road, Dannemora, Flat Bush, Flat Bush School Road, Howick, Murphy’s Park and Shelly Bay Road.
BestStart said 140 of its centres were involved in the study.
“We’re thrilled to have been part of research that’s helping shape positive outcomes for children across Aotearoa,” the company said.
Findings from the trial showed children in ENRICH had more advanced oral language in post-tests and more advanced self-regulation, along with reduced negative affect and increased early literacy and social skills.
The expansion is funded from $12.4 million allocated in Budget 25 and will be rolled out in phases as provider capacity grows.
Budget 25 puts $297.7 million into the early learning sector overall, including $216.6 million to extend the Early Intervention Service into Year 1 and expand it to 560 specialist roles.
Advocates for Early Learning Excellence welcomed the announcement.
“Strong oral language underpins everything that follows,” chair Kelly Seaburg said.
“Before children learn to read, write or communicate their ideas in increasingly complex ways, they first need rich conversations, vocabulary, storytelling and responsive interactions with the adults around them.”
“Investing in this area during the early years is an investment that pays dividends throughout a child’s education.”
