Masterton mum defends daycare | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

Masterton mother-of-two Angela Speers would place her children in daycare, despite a controversial report claiming it can increase stress on kids, and says not all mums have the luxury to stay home.

The report commissioned by Family First NZ said putting young children in daycare could have long-term consequences for mental and physical health.

It's drawn criticism from child care agencies and parents, who said it ignored the benefits of good quality early childhood education.

Masterton mother Mrs Speers is expecting her third son, who she plans to call Phillip, in a fortnight. She is happy to consider daycare for him after putting Caleb, 10, and Isaiah, 7, through kindergarten.

Both she and husband Peter worked full-time when she put her eldest son into Holyoake Kindergarten in Pahiatua. "We wanted the boys to learn to interact with other kids and I wanted, and needed, to work," she said.

"It will be the same with Phillip. Both of us need to be working - money from a single income just doesn't go that far unfortunately and not every parent can afford the luxury of staying at home."

Mrs Speers said her older children learned socialisation skills at kindy, while she had the opportunity to work full-time alongside her husband.

"They get to learn things I can't teach them at home like getting along with other kids and other cultures as well."

Masterton Early Learning Centre manager Megan Brown acknowledged the risks of child and parent separation, but said parents were invited to visit several times before enrolment to build "a bond of trust and communication" with caregivers.

"That lessens the impact on the child and any concerns the parents have," she said.

"We tell them to bring in their toys or blankets as well - all their settling things - and that also lessen the risks of separation."

Greytown kindergarten teacher Dylan Braithwaite said there was substantial evidence that young children benefit from "high quality" early childhood education.

"As long as it's a quality environment, it's good for children," she said.

Family First national director Bob McCoskrie said the report was compiled "to put a new set of facts on the table".

The report by a UK psychologist said placing young children in daycare for an extended time, and the consequent separation from parents, puts the children at risk of significant stress "which could have potential long-term consequences for their mental and physical health as adults".