Preschool is saved from closure

A LAST minute enrolment drive has allowed Ferntree Gully’s Windermere Preschool to stave off the threat of closure in 2008.
In the lead-up to last Tuesday night’s council meeting, it looked as though dwindling enrolments would force the preschool to close next year.
During the meeting, however, the council was informed that the efforts of Windermere Preschool staff and council officers to bolster enrolments had been successful.
Friberg Ward councillor Debbie Field was keen to recognise the work put in to raise enrolments from 14 to 20 children in time for the 26 July deadline.
“They did some really good work promoting the centre around the suburbs over the last month or so,” Cr Field said.
“It’s very exciting to see that Windermere is going to stay open.”
Knox mayor Jim Penna said that three other preschools – Cooinda, The Basin and Alexander Magit – would continue to operate with the assistance of the council in 2008 despite flagging enrolments.
The Koolyangarra preschool in Bayswater will be the only venue in Knox to suspend operation next year, leaving 29 preschools in service across the municipality.
Cr Penna said that Knox was particularly proud of its preschool service and would continue to support preschool committees in a bid to strengthen enrolment numbers.