THE future of Branxholme Kindergarten is uncertain as reduced enrolments are causing the centre to consider closing its doors for good.

Branxholme Kindergarten has seen a reduction in enrolments over the last five to 10 years, with data from the 2021 Census showing the postcode of 3302, consisting of Branxholme and Grassdale, had only eight children in the 0-4 age group, a reduction from 17 in the 2016 Census.

Of the eight children in the kindergarten age category, three are currently enrolled in the four-year-old program. Branxholme Kindergarten is not alone in feeling the effects of the reduced enrolments, with the town’s local primary school also seeing a recent decline in numbers.

Combined Preschools of Southern Grampians (CPSG) executive officer, Tracey Gould, said a final decision regarding the future of the kindergarten would need to be made later on, however for now, the service would not be running next year.

“At this stage we will be placing the service into recess for 2023, and will try again for enrolments for the 2024 kindergarten year,” she said.

“But at that point we will need to make a final decision about continuing to keep the service open. 

“There are just very few young children currently in the small community”.

Ms Gould said many families in the area choose to utilise kindergarten services in Hamilton, as they provide long day services (which siblings are attending) and extended kindergarten hours.

“We do know of some of our local families that enrol their children in kindergarten in Hamilton, as that is what best fits the needs of their family and working commitments,” she said. 

“We just cannot offer extended hours in Branxholme, because again, it is just not viable with only two or three children.

“We have wonderful staff at the service who deliver an amazing program, but salary expenses alone are around $95,000.”

The service is wholly funded by the Victorian Government.

CPSG experienced a similar situation a few years ago at Cavendish Kindergarten when the service was facing a year with no four-year old enrolments, however, due to the strong fundraising efforts of families in previous years, the service was able to run a non-funded program for a strong group of three-year old children.

CPSG is currently surveying families in the community to explore what the future interest in Branxholme Kindergarten may be. 

The survey is open to the public until September 30, with the online survey link or a hard copy available by emailing info@cpsg.org.au

Anyone interested in enrolling their child can visit cpsg.org.au