A new kindergarten catering for up to 30 children is to be built in Oamaru and open by the end of July.
The Oamaru Kindergarten Association governance voted last week to go ahead with the project. It will cost about $600,000 to convert, furnish and resource former classrooms and associated facilities at Oamaru North School into a virtually new complex.
The cost has been supported by a $100,000 grant from the Ministry of Education's targeted assistance for participation fund, which aims to increase participation in early childhood education in key communities, including Maori, Pasifika and low-income communities.
Board president Neil Jorgensen said last week's vote was a significant step towards the new kindergarten.
''The board recognises there is a need for a fourth kindergarten option in Oamaru and there is support from the local community, as well as the Ministry of Education, to make it happen,'' he said.
Oamaru has the Casanova Kindergarten in north Oamaru, McCulloch on the South Hill and Holmes at Awamoa, so the new kindergarten would be the first in central Oamaru.
Being located next to two primary schools (Oamaru North and St Joseph's) would support positive transitions from kindergarten to school and the potential for partnerships across the education sector benefiting the community.
Oamaru Kindergarten Association general manager Julie Craig was excited the project was moving forward.
''We know that children, families and the community will benefit from a new kindergarten,'' she said.
It would provide new jobs in Oamaru, employing three full-time staff and a teacher aide-cook, with the intention to provide meals. It could also be used for holiday programmes.
Enrolments are already being taken for the new kindergarten.
