PRESS RELEASE
28 February 2014
The end of an era for Hunterville Mobile Kindergarten
Hunterville Mobile Kindergarten is closing its service at the end of Term One 2014. In operation since 1975, the
kindergarten has been travelling by van over 400 kilometres each week, delivering quality early education to different
locations throughout the Manawatu and Rangitikei districts. Of the nine original New Zealand mobile kindergartens,
Hunterville’s closure means there will only be the Waimate service left in operation.
The decision to close Hunterville Mobile Kindergarten was made reluctantly by the Ruahine Kindergarten Association (RKA)
Board this week following a review of the service. “We’ve been trying to meet the Government's push to increase
childrens' participation in early childhood education, but have been shouldering the cost for some time”, says RKA
General Manager, Alison Rudzki. “Hunterville Mobile Kindergarten has been an important part of our rural community for
almost 40 years. Not only did the service provide quality early childhood education, we were also connecting people
together and establishing critical links for children and their families to local schools – which is vitally important
for those living in isolated areas”.
A number of factors were cited for the closure. The Government has indicated a need for increased participation in early
childhood education, yet under existing licensing regulations it is challenging for mobile services to comply, as they
operate from spaces not specifically designed to be kindergartens. For the past year RKA has worked with Waimate
Kindergarten Association and New Zealand Kindergartens, lobbying the Ministry of Education for a funding review and
amendments to the 2008 ECE licensing regulations.
“In particular, changes in demographics have had an adverse effect on Hunterville’s financial viability leaving RKA with
no alternative other than to close its mobile service. However, while the current service isn’t viable, Ruahine
Kindergartens continues to work with the Ministry of Education for the purposes of developing future sustainable mobile
services funding models,” says Mrs Rudzki.
While their access to ECE subsidies will not change, families that have been travelling up to an hour to participate in
the kindergarten sessions will need to access alternative services to gain early childhood education for their young
children. A recent survey of families indicated that 75% already access other early childhood education services and
some parents have indicated they would transfer their children to Ruahine Kindergartens in Marton and Feilding.
Hunterville Mobile Kindergarten staff and families have been consulted with through community surveys and discussions
held at each venue. Ideas including sponsorship have been floated, but the huge operational cost, plus compliance with
government standards meant any agreements would have to be long-term and substantial. A Special General Meeting will be
held in March, as well as a celebration to thank the community for their long-term commitment and support to the
service.
ENDS