Avondale pre-school calls for help

Closing the Avondale Community Centre would almost certainly destroy the Avondale Community Pre-school's ability to serve low-income families.

The not for profit pre-school has paid a peppercorn rental at the centre since 1990. But parents say it has insufficient funds to rent, let alone build similar premises elsewhere.

Parent committee chair Jody McMillan says the pre-school has a long waiting list and fills a huge need.

"If we closed many families wouldn't be able to access the quality early childhood education which the community pre-school prides itself on. Even though we're only open during school hours, sending children here allows a lot of parents to work. It's crucial for enabling many low-income Avondale families to get by."

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At present the ECE Government subsidy allows parents to send children here 20 hours a week for free. They pay a donation for additional hours.

McMillan hopes the council will reconsider and include space for the pre-school in plans for its new multi-purpose civic hub.

"There's a wonderful positive feeling at the pre-school because it offers something quite unique. We have teachers of various nationalities, many languages are spoken here and everyone is welcomed and included.

"The pre-school provides quality education, in partnership with whanau, in our culturally diverse community. The motivation is to meet the needs of the community it serves - it's not merely make a profit."

McMillan says concerned parents are flat out fundraising and lobbying Whau Local Board and the Ministry of Education.

"But all of us are busy with children and in most families both the mum and dad work. We can't do this alone.

"A lot of people sent their children here in previous years and now we're asking for their help. We're saying, 'if you want to save the Avondale Community Pre-school, let the Whau Local Board know'."

The Auckland Council is obliged to think of what is best for the community. Not only do present Avondale families need what the pre-school provides - if the expected 2000 apartment dwellers arrive, the need for a community facility of this type will be greater still, she says.

Parents have been told the centre will probably keep its home for another two to three years.

"But if there are more leaky building issues, we're told that could be reviewed and we could be out sooner.

"The council doesn't want to put any money into repairing the present building, which they now see as quite redundant."