New centre for the city
A new early childhood education centre has sprung up in a growing part of Palmerston North after the national lockdown delayed its start.
The Ruahine Kindergarten Association has just opened the Summerhill Early Learning centre on Ruapehu Drive, the association’s 25th kindergarten or early-learning centre in the region.
The Summerhill centre opened for one day before New Zealand went into lockdown in March, but is now hosting children again. Most enrolments are from the area.
Association chief executive
Alison Rudzki said it bought the land in 2015, but it took time to get the design right and the money together.
‘‘It’s the first purpose-built [centre] for a long time in the association.’’
Rudzki said the centre was big enough to hold 91 children, but it asked for a licence for 65 to make sure children had lots of space to play.
The centre has 14 staff, three rooms for different age groups, a vegetable garden, space for children to ride bikes and a big playground.
‘‘We’re not for profit and community-based, so we’re not here for the money. All of the Government funding and fees goes back into the centre.
‘‘We knew there was a need for the community around here and theywanted some really good options.’’
Centre manager Jolene Haye said during the lockdown staff shared ideas and became stronger as a team.
‘‘We’ve got an opportunity to build something in the community here and start looking at our philosophy. We need the parent and community contribution towhat the centre is going to be about.’’