The effects of cuts to early childhood education (ECE) will be discussed at a community meeting today.
Dunedin's Labour MPs and the party's ECE spokeswoman, Sue Moroney, will speak on the cuts' effect on children and parents.
On Thursday, the Government announced the sector would get $1.3 billion in annual funding, but said it would save $280 million by reducing the financial incentive for centres to have qualified staff.
ECE providers have been encouraged to have all staff in their centres qualified, and they and received subsidies for those staff. This cut means that, from February 2011, funding will only be provided for up to 80% of a provider's staff.
Labour MP for Dunedin South Clare Curran said parents of children under 3 will now face fee increases of $42.50 a child each week.
"The Budget cuts will hit working families who rely on quality child care. The impact will be enormous throughout the economy as parents weigh up whether they can afford to have their children in child care."
The meeting will be held at the Mornington Presbyterian Church, and starts at 10am.
