Whatman Early Childhood Education Centre’s future now assured

The Salvation Army Whatman Early Childhood Education Centre in Masterton will continue to operate under new ownership.

The Salvation Army will hand over the early childhood education centre, for a nominal fee, to The Rimutaka Kindergarten Association (RKA) on August 1. RKA will lease the site for 18 months and ensure the building is brought up to the standard required to meet the requirements of Ministry of Education licensing.

Salvation Army Central Division Commander Major Rod Carey says he regrets the uncertainty Whatman parents faced as the centre’s future was reassessed.

“But this is perhaps the best possible outcome for Whatman’s children and their families, and for that The Salvation Army is most grateful,” he says.

“We are also thankful that the centre will transfer to the hands of an experienced and reputable early childhood education provider,” Major Carey says.

All qualified Whatman staff, and those currently under training, will move to the RKA. Regrettably, four untrained staff positions will end, with redundancy paid to the affected workers in line with their collective agreement.

The Salvation Army would like to recognise the efforts of the wider community, Masterton Mayor Gary Daniell and Wairarapa MP John Hayes in working towards a solution for the centre.

The Salvation Army’s decision to stop operating an early childhood education centre had not been taken lightly, Major Carey says. Operating the centre at a loss for many years and the cost of upgrading or replacing the building meant it had become financially unsustainable.

The Salvation Army will continue to run the Oscar programme for the care of school-aged children and local Salvation Army officers Lieutenants Kylie and Stuart Tong will continue their community and church work.