FitnessNZ Wins Childcare Regulations Battle

FitnessNZ has announced that, after extensive negotiations, the New Zealand Government has agreed to exempt gyms from new childcare regulations.
FitnessNZ has had long held concerns about the countryâs new childcare regulations, believing them to them to be particularly problematic for fitness clubs. At one time, the Ministry of Education had even gone as far as threatening to close whole facilities over the child care issue.
However, in recent correspondence with FitnessNZ, Minister of Education Anne Tolley advised âI am pleased to inform you that I intend to introduce legislation as soon as possible to remove the requirement of short-term childcare centres in recreation facilities and shopping malls to meet early childhood education (ECE) licensing regulations.
âMy intentions is that recreation facilities and shopping malls providing short-term care where a parent is close by will no longer have to meet ECE standards.�?
A key requirement of the anticipated change is that parents/carers remain on site, which is not likely to pose difficulties for gyms that operate crèches for members.
FitnessNZâs Chief Executive Richard Beddie highlighted that âthe Minister makes it clear that the current regulations should be followed until they are changed.�?
Beddie advises that FitnessNZ has already made resources available for members to advise how to comply with the current rules, in their âCommon Industry Issuesâ booklet. The booklet includes helpful tips on how to "creatively comply" with these regulations.
Beddie adds âonce the regulations change we will keep member informed as to the specific details and update our resources accordingly.�?
Relevant information is available from FitnessNZ.
The letter from the Minister is available by clicking below.
fnz@fitnessnz.co.nz
http://site.fitnessnz.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Letter-from-Minister-Childcare-changes.pdf