Kindy changes prompt protest from parents

Oliver Davies (left) and Jack Mahan, both 2, protest with other children and their parents outside Northcote Kindergarten. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Members of the Northcote community came together yesterday to protest against changes planned for three local kindergartens.

Picket organiser Laurie Rands said they received a huge amount of support and parents came from as far as Mt Eden.

Despite the protests, the Auckland Kindergarten Association wants to introduce the Kindergarten Day system at Northcote, Birkdale and Northbridge centres.

This will scrap the standard system of morning and afternoon sessions in favour of a six-hour day.

Ms Rands said the association told parents it was making the switch because of the changing needs of families, although the charitable trust can now tap into additional government funding.

The new system will mean a reduced student to teacher ratio, but increased waiting lists, said Ms Rands.

She estimates this will lift the entry age from 3.8 years to 4.5 years.

"Kids will be entering school unprepared."

Yvonne Robertson's 4-year-old son Trent has severe autism, but "has just blossomed" in the structured environment of Northbridge Kindergarten.

Ms Robertson said the proposed changes would have a huge negative effect on her son's development.

The parents have invited the association to a public meeting on Monday at the Northcote Rugby Club, but have not had a response.