Waitaki Valley parents fear its only pre-school centre may have to close at the end of this term because it is losing its only qualified teacher.
Head teacher Angela Thompson is shifting from the area to live in South Canterbury, leaving the Kurow Pre-school Early Childhood Centre in Ranfurly St unable to meet Ministry of Education criteria for teacher funding.
The centre caters for more than 20 children a day from as far away as Five Forks, Duntroon and Omarama.
About 50 families are listed on its register.
It has three teachers, two of whom are in training.
Treasurer and governance committee member Sarah Rowland said the centre required at least one trained teacher given the number of children it catered for.
That would end when Mrs Thompson left at the end of this term, on September 26.
The centre had advertised without success for a replacement qualified teacher.
"The fear is that if we don't find one before [Mrs Thompson leaves] the centre will have to close from next term until we do," she said.
There is a glimmer of hope - the ministry is coming to inspect the centre and could grant an temporary licence for exemption.
However, that is not guaranteed.
"Finding qualified staff for centres and even schools is a real problem in small rural areas like ours," she said.
The centre is appealing for anyone who may be qualified to come forward, either on a temporary or permanent basis.
"We have put in a lot of effort to ensure we provide a quality centre, but that is in jeopardy.
"The worst case scenario, and our biggest fear, is we have to close," she said.
