A Wantirna kinder for three-year-olds has closed its doors and parents fear more could close

A WANTIRNA kinder that’s been running 30 years will close tomorrow due to declining enrolments and a lack of money

A WANTIRNA kinder that’s been running for 30 years closed its doors this week due to declining enrolments and a lack of money.

Children that go to Templeton Orchards three-year-old preschool will now have to move elsewhere and their teacher and assistant teacher are both out of work.

The preschool, on Templeton St, had 16 enrolments this year, with classes held twice a week for two and a half hours at a time.

Parents pay $1620 for the year — $405 per term.

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But the parent-run committee that manages the preschool said that was not enough to keep them afloat.

Committee president Jacqui Stone said the low number of students meant they had been bracing for a tough decision since the start of the year and it was a “very sad day” making the call to close.

Committee members, mums, and children outside Wantirna's Templeton Orchards 3-Year-Old Preschool kinder.

Mrs Stone said staff and parents found out about the closure last week and Wednesday, June 27 was their final day.

“Everyone was shattered,” she said.

She said it was unsustainable to stay open, and if it was to continue next year parents would have to pay $450 per term.

“The simple reason is the money’s run out,” she said.

“It’s a shame because they (the children) have just got to know each other really well. They’re all settled and enjoying their teachers and the classes.”

There are 17 other three-year-old preschools in Knox.

Mrs Stone said she feared many of them were also facing financial challenges with a broader trend of decreasing enrolments, as parents opt for childcare instead.

She said she wants the State Government to start subsidising three-year-old preschool, the way they do for four-year-olds.

She said she hoped they may follow the lead of New South Wales, who announced last week it would be the first state in Australia to pay for three-year-olds to go to kinder.

“They (three-year-old kinders) are all doing it tough,” she said.

“Hopefully the government can (provide funding) before the few three-year-old preschools we have left are closed down.”

Knox Mayor John Mortimore said the council continued to operate the existing four-year-old early childhood service from the Templeton Orchards site.

“The council does not, at present, operate 3-year-old Preschool Programs nor are there plans, at this stage, to do so in future,” Cr Mortimore said.

“Should the state or federal government look to introduce universal access to 3 year olds as policy, significant work with local government across Victoria would be required to adapt current early years infrastructure to help meet projected demand.”