Waiouru child care centre needs help

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 422, 4 February 1992, Page 1

Waiouru child care centre needs help

BY JO HOWIE The Waiouru Childcare Centre is in financial difficulty and needs to find more than $50,000 to bccome dcbt free. "Part of the debt rcsults from uhexpected reduced govemment funding for the under-two-year olds and the large mortgage re-payments on the new refurbished childcare centre. The building needcd to be refurbished in ordcr to meet minimum standards to be eligible for a liccnce and a chartcr. "The good news is we'rc fully licensed, ihe bad news is we've accumulatcd considerable debt," said Julia Martin, the supervisor. Terry O'Neil, the newly appointed president said the childcare committee and parents are now aiming to fund raise between $500 - $1,000 per month to supplement the grant and help pay the running costs of the centre. "We need to fund raise for the basic everyday items the centre needs,

like flour for play dough, paper, scissors and books. Money is also needed to pay off the loan for the refurbishmcnt. It is the responsibility of the Waiouru community to help support the centre and help this essential service to operate," said Mr O'Neil. "The Waiouru Commandant is the licence holder of the centre, and the Army pays for maintenance and rental costs which is much " appreciated." said Julia. "However, it is the responsibility of the centre and the community to help pay refurbishmcnt costs." "All the help we ea gct will be greatly aj preciated, whether it be assistance in fund raising activities throughout the year or by using the centre. Children attending on a casual basis would make the difference between operating the centre or not. We can take up to iO more children a day." Turnpage 2

Centre needs help

From page 1 Julia said parents should be aware of a new Department of Social Welfare grant that offers a childcare subsidy that will be effective from 1 February and applicable for many Waiouru familics. If you have a preschool child that attends childcare for six hours or morc a wcek, and parent's or guardian's gross weekly income docs not exceed $850 a wcek, then you are entitled to a subsidy. Appli-

cation forms are avaliable from the Social Welfare Office, or Childcare centre. "The way that this is designed is it takes all relief off mums. There is no need for mothers to be under stress and suffer from suburban neurosis or cabin feve'r," Julia said. The first of many fund raising activities for "save the Childcare Centre' is a 'Batons Up' raffle evening at the centre, Saturday 22 February at 7pm, supper provided.