A proposed early childhood learning centre for the Maniototo
is likely to be situated near Maniototo Area School in
Ranfurly.
People at a meeting about the proposal recently provided a
mandate for the project to proceed and options for the centre
are being explored.
The Ministry of Education and Maniototo Area School board of
trustees supported a centre either on the school grounds or
within a classroom.
Steering group chairwoman Geraldine Duncan, of Gimmerburn,
said it was decided the centre would be run like a
kindergarten and be part of the Central Otago Kindergarten
Association (COKA).
It would preferably be a custom-built centre on the school
grounds, which was either owned by the community and leased
to COKA or owned and operated by the association.
Mrs Duncan said the association was working with the steering
group to determine which was the best option.
"We've found that the need is for a five-day, fully licensed
facility with longer opening hours.
The association would prefer the community to own the centre,
as it is a not-for-profit organisation and likes all money to
go towards the kids," she said.
The group has conducted a survey which indicated one in three
Maniototo children did not attend formal licensed early
childhood education.
Mrs Duncan said there were 110 children aged 5 and under in
the Maniototo.
That figure was expected to rise to 120 by 2016.
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