SAVE ONEWHERO EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

Onewhero Early Childhood Centre is an integral part of our community. It is based in a small rural town in North Waikato. The Centre has been open for 40 years and we predict that over 2,000 children have been through the doors over this time. The Centre’s philosophy is focused on a quality holistic education. We have caring and professional teachers who are dedicated in providing our children with authentic, and stimulating experiences. We have a close relationship with Onewhero Area School where the majority of our 5 year olds attend and continue their learning journey. The whānau who attend our Centre come from a wide area; including; Onewhero, Pukekawa, Waikaretu, Port Waikato, Mercer, Tuakau and Pukekohe. Our whānau choose the Centre as they are looking for a grounded, well resourced, low child/teacher ratio, and a relaxed environment for their children to grow into competent learners. We are a non-profit incorporated society, who gives back to the community in any way possible.

In 2012 there was a roll of 60 families with a healthy waiting list. With a focus on trying to provide for the needs of the community, a mortgage was obtained to extend the building.

In the following years, many new Centres have opened in our area. This has meant there are more options for our families when choosing early childhood Centres and unfortunately, we have seen a significant drop in our roll. We have worked hard to build our roll to now having an average of 28 children daily and without the mortgage we would be a thriving Centre.

We have worked hard any way possible; fundraising, limiting spending, cutting costs where ever possible to pay the original amount of $120,000 mortgage, but we still owe $59,832.00.

The Ministry of Education and Banks are unwilling to offer much needed help at this time. We have tried everything, but it has come to a point where this mortgage needs to be paid for us to enable the Centre to stay open.

We are a small group of caring and concerned community members and supporters of the Onewhero Early Childhood Centre who are driving this particular project to try an save our preschool………

Anna Ronaki – Teacher at OAS, attended the Centre in the 80’s, and now has children at the Centre.

Hayley L'Huillier – Children attending the Centre currently.

Donna Harper – Teacher at OAS, Grandchildren at the Centre currently.

Lisa Fallen – Children at the Centre currently.

Chris Massey – Community member, Mother and Grandmother of children who have and are attending the Centre.

There are many more supporters too!!!

We are looking for people to show their support for the future of the Centre. However big or small your contribution may be – you will help to keep our awesome and unique community based Centre open for our children now, and for future generations. It will be devastating and have long lasting implications for our community if we have to close the doors!

PLEASE HELP SAVE ONEWHERO EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER!

Ngā mihi tatou.