KidsCan launches pilot to feed children under the age of five at early childcare centres

Thursday, 7 March 2019

Children under the age of five have been fainting from hunger at early childhood education centres - and some are dropped off without warm clothes, nappies or formula. 

Now, there is a nationwide push by KidsCan to keep New Zealand's most vulnerable fed and clothed.

In the first programme of its kind in the country, KidsCan has launched a pilot to provide lunch, snacks, clothing, shoes and head lice treatment to children in early childcare centres. 

Julie Chapman, KidsCan chief executive, said the pilot launched after the organisation was approached at least three times a week by centres asking for help.

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'I've heard stories of children under five fainting because they're so hungry. I'm hearing stories of seven to nine-week-old babies going into early childhood for whatever reason, and turning up with no formula,' Chapman said.

'We had two or three centres a week approaching us and imploring us to expand our programs to under-fives.'

KidsCan already provides food, clothing and other needs to 742 schools across the country where the need for supplies is very real - in 2017, the Child Poverty Monitor estimated at least 290,000 Kiwi kids live in poverty. 

The pilot for under-fives has been running for six months, and has been rolled out to 25 centres - from the Far North to the Hawke's Bay. 

The participating centres will also be evaluated by researchers from the University of Waikato over a two-year period.

The study will look at the impact that a lack of access to basic needs has on children's wellbeing and participation in the education system.

Chapman said a KidsCan survey conducted on 325 whānau across the North Island paints a grim picture.

One in three families said they rely on food banks because they don't have enough money for food and at least 42 per cent are putting up with the cold because they can't afford heating.

Particular concern has been raised over the impact on preschoolers because of the way poverty affects education.

In the survey, families spoke candidly about struggling to send their toddlers to early education centres because of money issues.

This included not having suitable clothing or nappies, needing to stay home on wet days due to a lack of transport, and the shame parents felt about not being able to provide lunch for their kids.

These were among the issues Chapman hoped to address with the new programme.

'If we let them continue to go without and live in poverty, we're setting them up for failure. The majority of parents are doing the right thing and simply don't have enough money to make ends meet,' Chapman said.

'These children deserve our support, and deserve us to value them.'

'MORE WORK TO DO'

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said lifting children out of poverty was a key goal for her Government.

'Making New Zealand the best place in the world for children is a priority of my Government and a driving force behind why I'm in politics. In our first 18 months we have put in place many important policies that will help us achieve that goal.

'Despite the important changes the Government has made so far I know there are still hungry kids in New Zealand. I support new measures, Government or community led, that ensure our kids are feed, happy and healthy.'

'Our efforts so far have lifted tens of thousands of children out of poverty but we know there is more work to do.'

POVERTY A 'THREAT' TO DEVELOPMENT

Professor Richie Poulton, director of The Dunedin Study, said there was a 'truckload' of human developmental science that has appeared in the last decade showing the early years matter tremendously for how a person's whole life turns out.

'Getting those early years right, therefore, is absolutely critically important for individuals, for their families, communities, and for the country. 

'It's when all the brain connections are being made. It's the height of activity in that regard. So you've got to make sure it is developing in an ideal way.

'Nurturing a child's during those early developmental periods is therefore critical in terms of making sure all the nerves are connecting nicely and strongly. You don't want threats to that process in any form. Poverty and its consequences are obviously one of the threats to ideal brain development.' 

'IT SEEMS NEW ZEALAND HAS FORGOTTEN ABOUT OUR MOST VULNERABLE'

How-to Dad and KidsCan Ambassador Jordan Watson said: 'Finally, someone is standing up for the little guy'.

'You know the saying 'Oh, your third kid will be a breeze'. It apparently relates to the fact that once this third kid rolls around, you're more of a parenting pro and won't stress all the small stuff.

'I think it's more the fact you accidentally forget about them more often. The big kid is the nosiest, flailing arms and full of energy, the second kid is trying to be louder than the first kid, and this little third kid just sits quietly up the corner. She'll be right.

'Until you go to do the school run, get the large ones out the door only to realise the little one needed changing 30 minutes ago, and now there's a mess streaked across the new carpet.

'It seems New Zealand has forgotten about our 'youngest kid' too – our most vulnerable.

'An age where poverty in New Zealand first reared its unwanted, ugly, but very real, head. At Early Childhood Centres with Kiwi kids aged five and under. Poverty hasn't forgotten them, and neither should we.'

KidsCan and Stuff have partnered up to raise enough money to feed and clothe 1000 more children under the age of five. To support a child, sign up at KidsCan.org.nz.