The Early Childhood Discretionary Grant Scheme (DGS) was allocated to eligible community based groups. The DGS supported the increase in ECE participation through provision of funding to increase or retain places in early childhood centres in areas where participation was low or was experiencing high growth.

The Ministry of Education is looking at more effective options for increasing participation in high-quality ECE.  This includes looking at how the DGS can be used more effectively to increase participation in early childhood education.The Ministry is specifically considering ways of doing this that are less bureaucratic and place less of a time, resource and compliance burden on groups who wish to access the funding.Until this is complete the Ministry will not be accepting new DGS applications. The Government is committed to boosting participation in the ECE sector and meeting the needs of our local communities; DGS funding will continue to be used to support participation in high-need areas.  Groups that are planning new facilities should continue to liaise with their local Ministry office, as this information will be useful in any revised scheme. Existing planning grants will be considered for funding within a new programme for raising participation in early 2010.

Allocation of Funds Announcement.

DGS funding for 2009/2010 was announced on 4 August 2009, and the following groups were awarded a total of $10,038,238 (GST inclusive):Capital Grants

• Samoan Methodist Churches of Samoa (Manukau Parish) in New Zealand Incorporated - Malae Fesilafa'i Aoga Amata
• Fountain of Knowledge Trust - Fountain of Knowledge
• Barnardos New Zealand Incorporated - Barnardos Early Learning Centre Sir Edmund Hillary
• Anglican Trust for Women and Children - St Georges Pre-School
• Feiloa'i Ma Uso Aoga Amata Trust - Feiloa'i Ma Uso Aoga Amata Trust Childcare Centre
• Kindergarten NZ Limited - KINZ Mission Heights
• Ngati Awa Social and Health Services Trust - Te Ara Ki Tua Early Childhood Centre
• Barnardos New Zealand Incorporated - Barnardos Early Learning Centre Te Totara
• Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust - Te Taura Hiri I Te Ao Te Kōhanga Reo
• Arrowtown Community Preschool Incorporated - Arrowtown Community Preschool

Planning Grants

• Great Potentials Foundation - Takanini Early Learning & Family Centre
• Northland Kindergarten Association - Ruawai Kindergarten
• Vaevae-Manava Tongan Community Charitable Trust - Akoteu Vaevae Manava
• Barnardos New Zealand Incorporated - Barnardos NZ Te Papapa
• Maniapoto Māori Trust Board - Nga Pukei Kura
• Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust - Ngā Kuaka Te Kōhanga Reo Whakatu Kōhanga ano
• Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust - Te Amorangi Hapaio O Rongokako Te Kōhanga Reo
• Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust - Te Kainga o te Koraha Te Kōhanga Reo
• Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust - Kereru Te Kōhanga Reo
• Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust - Kauri Te Kōhanga Reo