Central Kids kindergarten in Te Kūiti is closing permanently. Kaiako Suzanne Easton, pictured left, and kaiako Julie Reynolds, right, entertain tamariki, Russel Faaiviivi, Levi Williamson, Hiruja Udugama Surege don, Harleigh Whinn, Anahera Onehi. PHOTO SUPPLIED
Central Kids Te Kūiti Kindergarten will close next week after almost 60 years providing preschool education in the town.
The decision to shut for good on June 30 has disappointed local parents.
Crystal Oakden-Hall is the mother of two children at the centre. She said her three-year-old daughter would struggle with the transition to different childcare and with losing her current teachers.
“It’s the only kindy that my two kids have gone to,” she said.
“They absolutely love it there. They love the teachers … they’ve really brought them out of their shells.
Crystal had observed the centre’s struggles to maintain its roll.
“I know since my girl started there, not quite two years ago, there haven’t been very many children. Most of the ones that are on the roll just suddenly stopped turning up.
“They said they had a lot more on the roll when my first one started. But [during] Covid and all, the kids stopped coming. I fully understand the financial aspect, but it just really sucks.”
Her key concern s the notice period provided to parents – or lack thereof.
It would have an impact on her ability to find another childcare option, she said.
“More notice would have been nice. It really irks me because, talking to other parents, other kindies have … a six-month waiting list. And we only found out a few weeks ago.
“It’s beyond rude as far as I’m concerned. The teachers are really upset.”
Staffing issues had also become apparent to parents.
“There’s been quite a bit of turnover, too, in the past six months. At least three teachers have left.”
King Country News understands there are several other issues relating to the closure.
The newspaper was not permitted to speak to staff directly, but statements from staff present during the centre’s final months were provided.
Julie Reynolds, kaiako māraurau (teacher) had been at Te Kūiti Kindergarten for over 15 years. She said her fondest memories of the job were the tamariki and their whānau.
“Working with tamariki as they grow in confidence, self-esteem, and perseverance is so rewarding, and of course all the fun and laughter.”
Julie said for many years Te Kūiti Kindergarten was the only place tamariki could begin their learning journey outside of the whānau unit.
It was a place where whānau had their first contact with an educational establishment and learned to trust in others to support and encourage their tamariki in their learning.
“We have made many strong connections with whānau as consecutive tamariki have attended the kindergarten. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your lives as your tamariki embarked on their learning journey. I
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wish each and every one of you great success in your endeavours, and lives well lived.”
Suzanne Easton, kaiako māraurau (teacher) had been with the kindergarten for almost 10 years and had also enjoyed seeing siblings come through and grow up.
Suzanne loved seeing the joy in the faces of tamariki as they mastered a new skill, and looks forward to hearing updates about them all as they continue to grow into strong, competent and capable adults.
“To our whānau, thank you for your support and friendship over the years, and thank you to our tamariki for being so warm, friendly, funny and making each day unique and inspiring.”
The kindergarten has been operating in Te Kūiti for over 58 years. In the early 1960s the local community worked together to establish the kindergarten, even holding a rodeo as one of the fundraising activities.
The kindergarten opened its doors in February 1965 with a roll of 10, and by April 1965 was operating a full morning and afternoon session, with 58 on the waiting list.
Low enrolments and costs attribute to closure
In a statement authorised by CEO Christine Hall, Central Kids Early Education group attributed the closure to low enrolments and costs.
“We made the decision to close Te Kūiti Kindergarten because the service has been struggling with low enrolments and attendance for a long time, and is facing high costs to maintain the building and ensure it meets regulations, which it is not possible to fund.
“Te Kūiti Kindergarten went from strength to strength and has played a central role in the lives of many tamariki and whānau since then,” Christine said.
“It’s a sad day when a kindergarten closes, and it’s not a decision we made lightly.
“Whānau of enrolled tamariki will be supported to transfer to one of the other seven early learning services in Te Kūiti.”
Te Kuiti Kindergarten is one of three Central Kids services closing at the end of term two, with the others in Hamilton and Kawerau.
Christine said years of systemic underfunding of early childhood services had contributed to these closures.
“As a non-profit organisation we are committed to delivering quality, low-cost early learning services for tamariki, but like any business our services must be able to at least cover their costs. Staff costs form the majority of our expenses, which means limited funds are available for high value building maintenance.
“We need to minimise the impact of loss-making services across our network and improve financial sustainability for Central Kids as a whole. It’s the only way we can continue providing low-cost services.”
Two community open afternoons will be held, as an opportunity for past whānau, tamariki and other community connections to pop in for a kōrero, take a walk down memory lane and say their farewells.
Te Kūiti Kindergarten, 30 Ngarongo St, Te Kūiti. Tuesday June 27 and Wednesday, June June, 3pm-4.30pm.
