THE future of Nangwarry’s preschool is under threat unless more enrolments can be secured for 2020.
With just four enrolments for next year, a new State Government policy could see the service suspended until it secures at least six enrolments.
Nangwarry Primary and Preschool Governing Council chairperson Rebekah Wettles is concerned about the looming suspension, which she believes may have flow-on effects to the primary school.
“The primary school is a small school and if we lose the preschool, a lot of those students will not come back for the rest of their primary school years,” Ms Wettles said.
“They will develop friendships elsewhere and parents will decide to keep them in that area.
“Even if they do come back, we believe it will only be around one out of the four, which will result in smaller classroom sizes in the long-term.”
Ms Wettles recently wrote to South Australian Education Minister John Gardner expressing the council’s concerns with travel implications and broader impacts should the service be suspended.
“Parents are able to take their children to Kalangadoo, however that is extra travel time for the parents in the morning,” Ms Wettles said.
“Preschool students are not able to take the bus as preschool is not compulsory and it is not seen as dropping them off at school,” she said.
According to Ms Wettles, one viable option would be an integrated program which combines preschool and reception students.
“It will be the same learning curriculum however it will be modified to suit younger children,” Ms Wettles said.
“We already have teachers and modifiers in place who are willing and want to see these programs set up, but once again it is up to the government as we need permission for it.
“We need the okay from the government to begin the program, which would be our preferred option as we cannot fund the preschool unless we have six children enrolled.”
Ms Wettles said if the integrated program was given the green light, the transport burden would lessen for parents around the small town.
“We will need to know whether we can host the program by the end of Term 3 so parents are able to plan what they want to do next year,” she said.
“However, we do not think we will get a response by then, which is disappointing because if parents cannot come to us they are going to have to think about other options.
“They will have to enrol their children in other areas and decide whether or not all of their children are taken out of the school.”
Ms Wettles said parents had approached the governing council concerned about the issue, including the visual impact of a closed facility and its long-term ramifications.
“It is the appearance we are worried about because the preschool will appear closed which will cause parents to think they must send their children somewhere else.”
Ms Wettles urged the government to “look at the school as a whole” and not just the preschool.
“We want to have the freedom of choice to have the integrated program, but we have not been given that choice yet.”
Education minister John Gardner’s office was contacted for comment.
