Once known for inflexible hours, kindergartens across New Zealand have taken an adaptable approach to falling attendance numbers.
The Ministry of Education's latest annual census of early-childhood education services showed the number of children enrolled in kindergartens had fallen 12.4%, from 45,000 in July 2005 to 39,000 in July 2009.
Over the same period, enrolments in daycare centres increased more than 20%, from 84,000 to 101,000, and those in home-based care jumped 54%, from 9800 to 15,000.
New Zealand Kindergartens Incorporated (NZKI) chief executive Clare Wells said the drop in kindergarten enrolments was not a "great surprise".
The 20-hours-free policy resulted in more parents choosing to put their children in early childhood education centres which provided longer hours of care and more flexibility.
"Enrolments have hovered around the 45,000 mark for several years.
The shift in numbers reflects a period of significant change in kindergarten," she said.
The traditional model of the day being split into a morning session for older children and an afternoon session for the younger ones had been "changing over the years" in the 29 associations involved in NZKI.
"We can adapt."
As they moved to meet community needs, longer sessions had been introduced in some areas.
These longer sessions resulted in changes to child-to-teacher ratios, which meant the number of places available also dropped, Ms Wells said.
She expected changes to continue as and when required and believed kindergarten would remain a popular choice for many families.
Dunedin Kindergarten Association senior teacher Christine Gale said kindergartens in the area had been "doing quite well" in terms of attendance.
Reorganisation had occurred over the past few years "to fit in with what our parents are needing", she said.
"I honestly can't see us being the 6.30am-to-8pm model, but for families who still want the kindy model, we are certainly more flexible than ever before."
Earlier opening hours and full-day services, more like a school day, had been adopted by some kindergartens, while the traditional option was still provided.
"The best thing we can offer is choice for families."
Central Otago Kindergarten Association manager Angela Jacobson said after 20 free hours were introduced, the six kindergartens it operated changed to full-day licences.
They mostly operated from 8.30am to 3pm, mimicking a school day.
She believed more parents were choosing to leave their 3-year-olds in child care, which opened up more spaces in afternoon sessions for 4-year-olds.
The needs of more parents were being met as different options became available, Mrs Jacobson said.
Oamaru Free Kindergarten Association general manager Julie Craig said the three kindergartens in town had not experienced a drop in numbers, but changes had been made to improve quality and meet demand.
