The governing body for Central Otago's seven kindergartens is hoping to make the most radical change of all in coming months by merging with a Canterbury kindergarten association. The proposal has generated some dissent. Lynda van Kempen investigates.
Twenty-eight voters will soon get to determine the future of Central Otago's seven kindergartens.
The ''youngest'' of the district's kindies, Maniototo, is three years old while the eldest - Alexandra - is closer to 60 than 50.
Despite the age difference, the one thing they all have in common is the vote on September 21, for or against a merger with the Canterbury Westland Kindergarten Association, which trades as Kidsfirst.
Promoted by the kindergartens' governing body, the Central Otago Kindergarten Association (Coka) board, the merger would affect more than 375 pre-schoolers and their families in the wider Central Otago district.
It would take effect from the start of next year.
Coka's board make up a quarter of the eligible voters and the seven life members of the kindies make up another quarter.
The remaining half of the votes - 14 in total, will be cast by the member kindies - two votes for each of the seven.
Coka board chairman Matt Parker, of Queenstown, hopes the result will be clear cut, in favour of the merger.
''Our ideal is to have a unanimous vote,'' he told a community meeting, attended by about 40 people at Cromwell this week.
''Our hope is that everybody is happy about it. That's our main goal, that everybody's happy and we all move forward together. ''
Mr Parker read out an email of support at the meeting from the Maniototo Kindergarten committee , which said the merger with Kidsfirst would be a positive move forward.
It could see many benefits, in particular in teaching and learning, and it had seen many improvements over the past year when Coka had been managed by Kidsfirst.
Alexandra kindergarten parents were less enthusiastic about the proposal.
Jennifer McLean, secretary of the Alexandra kindergarten committee, asked why the merger with Kidsfirst was the only option on the table.
The meeting heard a merger of kindergarten associations in the lower South Island was explored two years ago.
However, all parties agreed discussions would be confidential, so the details could not be outlined.
The proposal had not got off the ground.
''Do we explore that again now? It was two years ago. It's a different situation now. Maybe it's timely to explore that again. There's no other option on the table. Is this our only option?'' Mrs McLean said.
Coka board member and former chairwoman Gigi Hollyer said the current process could be stalled so Coka could explore the other option again but ''my gut feeling is that we'd get to the same point''.
In 2013, Coka's general manager role was vacant so it contracted Kidsfirst to manage the association and last year it contracted Kidsfirst to provide professional support.
''It's taken us two years to get to this point,'' Mr Parker said.
''We know what we're getting with Kidsfirst. There's definitely an incentive to go there - the devil you know - it's a known quantity.''
Mrs McLean also raised concerns about retaining the district's identity.
''A huge thing in people's mind is our identity ... Are we going to feel out of touch, isolated geographically? I have concerns about keeping our voice.''
She wanted an assurance the Central Otago district would have a seat on the Kidsfirst board if a merger went ahead.
Kidsfirst chief executive and interim Coka manager Sherryll Wilson said Kidsfirst had four kindergartens on the West Coast, including one at Franz Josef, and all would say they had not lost their sense of identity.
''Our strength is our quality of teaching and learning. Going by the latest ERO reports, we've turned things around at some kindies. We're better resourced and better managed now.
''I'm not going to turn into a witch on a broomstick after January 1, when the merger takes effect,'' she said.
Central Otago REAP early childhood co-ordinator Jean Sims highlighted concerns about whether physical and financial assets would be retained and returned to Central Otago if Kidsfirst became insolvent and whether funds raised by kindergartens would remain with those kindergartens.
She was told in both cases the funds and assets would be returned to the kindergartens.
Several parents said Kidsfirst's constitution was hazy on the return of assets in those circumstances.
Mrs Hollyer said Kidsfirst dug Coka out of an $80,000 deficit hole when government funding was changed.
''With a larger network behind you, it's not up to each kindy. You get the big picture and kindies are more viable.''
Alexandra kindergarten parent George Collier said the association's formerly tenuous financial situation had improved, but Mrs Hollyer questioned how long it would stay that way.
Mr Parker said the merger was in the best long-term interest of Central Otago kindergatens.
In its information to parents, Coka's board said there were more than 45 early childhood services in the district, excluding home-based ones, and more were starting up.
Coka has established two new kindergartens in the past seven years: Hawea in 2008 and Maniototo, at Ranfurly, in 2012.
Also in that time the Alexandra kindergarten relocated to a new building on Alexandra Primary School grounds.
Kidsfirst operates 63 kindergartens in Canterbury and the West Coast.
The merger vote will be taken at a special general meeting on September 21.
Coka
What is the the Central Otago Kindergarten Association (Coka)?
• Umbrella organisation for Central Otago kindergartens; an incorporated society and registered charity. Board of trustees make decisions, set policy and govern the association.
• Local kindergarten committees link Coka and the parent community. They responsible for supporting the teaching staff in the day-to-day running of the facility and fundraising for extra resources.
• Kindergartens in Coka are: Alexandra, Cromwell, Frankton, Hawea, Maniototo (Ranfurly), Terrace (Alexandra), Wakatipu (Queenstown)
The issues
Merger supporters say
• Greater buying power and cost savings.
• More professional development and support to teachers.
• Kidsfirst a known entity already working with Central Otago kindies
• Kidsfirst values similar to Coka's.
• Secures a sustainable future.
Concerns raised
• Loss of control of facilities
• Loss of local identity
• What happens to the physical and financial assets of kindies if Kidsfirst becomes insolvent?
• Will fundraising by each kindy return money to that kindy?
• Could be more pupils per teacher if rolls increased to maximum
