Rhett Burnie
MITCHELL Shire Council may be forced to close Pyalong’s only kindergarten because of a lack of enrolments for next year.
Just six children have been enrolled for 2012 at Pyalong Pre-School, which also services Tooborac, High Camp and Glenaroua.
A minimum of 10 students is required for the pre-school to operate.
If the numbers cannot be met the pre-school will go into recess for 2012.
Pyalong Pre-School Teacher Julie Watts said she is hopeful more children will be enrolled.
“Numbers have fluctuated (over the years), but they’ve never been this low,” Ms Watts said.
The lack of numbers for 2012 is a far cry from this year, with 20 students currently enrolled – 14 of who will head to primary school next year.
Ms Watts said she had an early indication numbers for 2013 are healthy and the pre-school would re-open then.
The pre-school first opened around 30 years ago.
Mitchell Shire Council Director of Community and Recreation Rob McVernon said efforts were being made to keep the pre-school open.
He said parents who had their children on a waiting list for Kilmore Pre-School had been offered places at Pyalong but none had taken up the offer.
The race to find numbers comes after a substantial advertising campaign, Mr McVernon said.
“Council advertised kindergarten enrolments in May, June and July of 2011.
“Advertisements were also put into the Pyalong Primary School newsletter in term three to encourage parents to enrol for Pyalong kindergarten.
He said places would be made available at other pre-schools if Pyalong was put into recess but parents would need to travel.
“Places could also be offered to the Pyalong children at Broadford or Seymour kindergartens, if required,” he said.
Pyalong resident Carol Ryan said she hoped the pre-school could stay open.
Ms Ryan’s sons, Alex and Zane, are both enrolled for 2012.
“All we really want is more numbers,” she said.
Ms Watts invited prospective parents to have a look at the pre-school.
“People are welcome to come and have a look and see for themselves what a lovely kindergarten it is,” she said.
For more information call Pyalong Pre-School on 5785 1291.






