St Clair Community Kindergarten is situated on the grounds of St Clair Presbyterian Church and leases one of its buildings to educate 50 pre-schoolers.
However, it was announced in December last year the church would be sold, and the kindy was given 12 months to find enough money to buy its part of the property.
Parents Committee member Nicky Lester said the kindy was one of only two independent, not-for-profit organisations left in Dunedin, and was governed by a parent committee.
She said the committee tried every possible way to raise the required funds, so it could buy the land and buildings and ''go it alone''.
But it was simply not able to.
She said there had been just 10 days to go before the property and buildings would be sold from under them.
''So we went to Dunedin Kindergartens - some would say at the 11th hour, but I would say it was closer to five [minutes] to 12, that's how desperate we were - to see if they could help.''
Fortunately, the Dunedin Kindergartens organisation was able to buy the land and buildings, and St Clair Community Kindergarten now operates under its umbrella.
She said the St Clair Community Kindergarten was now looking ahead and was excited about exploring possibilities for how it would operate in the future.
''Preserving the future of St Clair Community Kindergarten, together with Dunedin Kindergartens, will provide us with governance and management expertise to ensure continual excellence in teaching and learning for our children.
''This will enhance our provision of professional leadership, application of resources, and the development of policies and procedures in partnership with teachers, children, parents, and whanau.''
Dunedin Kindergartens general manager Christine Kerr was delighted to welcome the kindergarten to the organisation, which governs 24 other individual kindergartens in the Dunedin area.
She said it joined two of the oldest and most established kindergarten organisations in New Zealand.
''We look forward to the continuation, and strengthening of sustained early childhood education.
''While we know we offer wonderful teaching environments, and exciting outdoor areas, our prized assets are our children, who are the future of New Zealand.''
