Manurewa Local Board has decided against funding the Kauri Kids Early Childhood Education programme at Clendon from its own budgets now that regional funding has ended.
Auckland Council’s governing body cut funding in the annual budget last month, leaving local boards the option of retaining the service by paying from their own budgets.
Board chair Glenn Murphy says the decision was an extremely difficult and heart-wrenching one to make.
“The annual budget scaled back cuts to our budgets. But it also moved some regionally-funded costs such as Kauri Kids on to us. Given the operational cost of continuing, and the number of other providers, we have decided to concentrate our spending in other areas.
“We recognise many people will be disappointed. But we must continue to find ways to get the best value for the most people with what we have.”
Murphy says Clendon Kauri Kids will operate as normal until a transition plan is agreed, with Council staff working to minimise impacts to parents, children and staff.
Council teams will communicate directly with staff during the transition process, which will include an eight-week notice period, and will ensure support is available to families by working with other childhood service providers and government departments.
