❓ Alanna Clohesy questions the Minister for Education regarding the potential closure of Mount Helena Community Kindergarten due to low enrolments. The Minister clarifies that no decision has been made and the kindergarten has been given an extension to reach the required enrolment numbers.
AnsweredQoN 1388Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
MOUNT
HELENA COMMUNITY KINDERGARTEN
1388. Hon ALANNA CLOHESY to the
Minister for Education:
I refer to decision to close Mount Helena Community
Kindergarten.
(1) What are the reasons for the decision?
(2) Is the
minister aware that although parents had been made aware that enrolments were
low, they had been assured that the kindy would remain open in 2016 and so were
shocked to be told this week that the kindy would close?
The PRESIDENT : The
Minister for Education is obviously very keen!
HELENA COMMUNITY KINDERGARTEN
1388. Hon ALANNA CLOHESY to the
Minister for Education:
I refer to decision to close Mount Helena Community
Kindergarten.
(1) What are the reasons for the decision?
(2) Is the
minister aware that although parents had been made aware that enrolments were
low, they had been assured that the kindy would remain open in 2016 and so were
shocked to be told this week that the kindy would close?
The PRESIDENT : The
Minister for Education is obviously very keen!
AnswerView source ↗
I am sorry, Mr President. I am trying to get around to all
these questions I have at the moment! I am very keen; I have a response.
Hon Ken Travers : You're a bit cheerier about this
one!
Hon PETER COLLIER : Yes I am. I was a bit grumpy about the
last one!
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this
question, and it is a very reasonable question.
(1)–(2)
I am advised that no decision has been made to close Mount Helena Community
Kindergarten. Any such decision rests with the Mount Helena Community
Kindergarten parent management committee. The Department of Education supports
community kindergartens that meet the required number of at least 10 enrolments
to attract an operating grant and staff. To date, I understand that only eight
children are formally enrolled at Mount Helena Community Kindergarten for 2016.
The department has provided the kindergarten additional time to attract the
required enrolments. The kindergarten did say it had 11 enrolments, but then
they went back and there are now only eight, but we have given an extension for
the kindergarten to get the 11 enrolments.
Hon
Alanna Clohesy : They have
been given an extension until December.
Hon
PETER COLLIER : Yes, but as
I have said, it has the eight students.
Hon
Alanna Clohesy : If they had
more time, they would be able to find one more kid.
Hon
PETER COLLIER : It has got
an extension; that is what I said.
Hon
Alanna Clohesy : Until
December; that's next week.
Hon
PETER COLLIER : It is three
weeks before the end of the year.
Hon
Alanna Clohesy : They were
told that it would stay open throughout 2016.
Hon
PETER COLLIER : I have given
my response and I think it is valid.
these questions I have at the moment! I am very keen; I have a response.
Hon Ken Travers : You're a bit cheerier about this
one!
Hon PETER COLLIER : Yes I am. I was a bit grumpy about the
last one!
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this
question, and it is a very reasonable question.
(1)–(2)
I am advised that no decision has been made to close Mount Helena Community
Kindergarten. Any such decision rests with the Mount Helena Community
Kindergarten parent management committee. The Department of Education supports
community kindergartens that meet the required number of at least 10 enrolments
to attract an operating grant and staff. To date, I understand that only eight
children are formally enrolled at Mount Helena Community Kindergarten for 2016.
The department has provided the kindergarten additional time to attract the
required enrolments. The kindergarten did say it had 11 enrolments, but then
they went back and there are now only eight, but we have given an extension for
the kindergarten to get the 11 enrolments.
Hon
Alanna Clohesy : They have
been given an extension until December.
Hon
PETER COLLIER : Yes, but as
I have said, it has the eight students.
Hon
Alanna Clohesy : If they had
more time, they would be able to find one more kid.
Hon
PETER COLLIER : It has got
an extension; that is what I said.
Hon
Alanna Clohesy : Until
December; that's next week.
Hon
PETER COLLIER : It is three
weeks before the end of the year.
Hon
Alanna Clohesy : They were
told that it would stay open throughout 2016.
Hon
PETER COLLIER : I have given
my response and I think it is valid.
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