The Ruahine Kimbolton Early Learning Centre will shut its doors on Friday, August 30th. The Ruahine Kindergarten Association is offering placements at its Feilding kindergartens for children currently attending the centre.
Established in October 2017 by the Ruahine Kindergarten Association in response to community needs, the centre has become unsustainable.
Licensed for children aged 2–5, Ruahine Kimbolton Early Learning recently achieved Enviroschools Silver status. The centre has provided high-quality, community-based early childhood education since its inception.
“Unfortunately, attendance rates have ranged from 38% to 52% over the past seven years,” said Alison Rudzki, CEO. “This indicates a lower demand than expected and results in insufficient government funding to cover our increasing costs.”
The Ruahine Kindergarten Association, a non-profit organization, has been serving diverse communities in the region for 75 years.
“We adapt to opportunities by opening services, like our recent addition at Linton Camp,” Rudzki explained. “However, we sometimes must close services to prevent ongoing losses and maintain the viability of our association, ensuring we can continue serving other communities.”
Rudzki noted that a six-week consultation process with the community did not yield viable solutions for keeping the centre open. The association could not find a financially sustainable option.
The centre will officially close on Friday, August 30th. Children from the centre are welcome at Ruahine Kindergartens in Feilding, where they will be warmly received.