NANGWARRY Primary School has welcomed just one Reception student this year after a prospective student switched schools as a result of service cuts to the adjoining preschool facility.
A Reception student expected to start the year at Nangwarry will now attend a different primary school due to the family needing to travel to Penola for preschool.
Nangwarry Primary School principal Erica Hurley expressed disappointment at the situation, which follows the suspension of the town’s preschool facilities for 2020.
A new State Government policy requires six enrolments each year to enable the government-funded facility to run.
Ms Hurley said the school’s regular playgroup program would continue and urged interested community members
to register.
The program will take place at the school and is available for children from birth until school age.
“We are opening the facility in hope families will see that our preschool program can get up and running again if we secure the six enrolments,” Ms Hurley said.
“If we can get our six enrolments for the preschool for 2021 then it will be fully available again.”
Ms Hurley hoped the program would encourage parents and caregivers to see the benefits of preschool age play.
“The children can learn social skills and will give parents another avenue to bond with their child,” she said.
“It also gives the mothers and fathers time to adjust as new parents, swap information on their child’s development and allow them to discuss any issues.”
