New Zealand Childcare Regulations Unchanged

Fitness New Zealand has expressed its disappointment that the Ministry of Education (MOE)'s new standards for childcare in fitness centres have ignored issues raised by the fitness industry.

Explaining that the new standards are more or less identical to the draft, FitnessNZ Chief Executive Richard Beddie expressed this fears that "few if any fitness facilities will now re-open their childcare facilities, resulting in yet another barrier for parents to take up exercise.

"This situation most unsatisfactory and, on behalf of the industry, FitnessNZ will be taking this up directly with the Minister."

FitnessNZ has been lobbying the government for a change in this area for quite some time, as the old standards had result in many childcare operations in fitness facilities being closed down.

Earlier this year FitnessNZ completed a road show around the country getting feedback on the MOEâs draft standards.

As Beddie comments, "we had been concerned with the supervision ratio of one adult to four children which, given that most facilities charge a token fee (if any) to use childcare, make childcare just uneconomic.

"The important thing from a fitness industry perspective is about making exercise more accessible to parents, and allowing those with children options of taking part in many of the excellent existing exercise programs and facilities on offer in New Zealand. Childcare in that setting should focus on the health and safety of children, rather than the traditional approach of education and full care service."

To add your support to Fitness NZ's lobbying contact 03 3736 390. E: fnz@fitnessnz.co.nz, www.fitnessnz.co.nz