Station Road Nursery School here faces possible closure in December due to financial struggles and low enrolment, but board president Kelly Quesnel remains hopeful that won’t happen.
“It’s quite real. I had to send a memo to all the parents a couple weeks ago just letting them know, this could happen, here’s the situation of our school,” said Quesnel.
“We were worried we would have to close this Christmas.”
Station Road is a non-profit, fully-licensed co-operative, meaning other than five paid staff members, the school is run by parent volunteers.
“It can be challenging but I think the biggest thing is everyone loves this school so much,” said Quesnel, whose own daughter started last year at Station Road.
“I feel like she’s going to be much more prepared for kindergarten just being here. I think the staff here is just amazing,” she said.
Parents can be full participating parents by taking a board position, or semi-participating parents by taking other positions in the school such as lunch shoppers, cleaners or event leaders. Volunteer jobs can range from a couple hours a month to a couple hours a week.
“It’s really not much and it’s what you want to participate,” said Quesnel.
The board handles everything from ministry paperwork to payroll and other administrative tasks.
The school also has spots for non-participating parents, for those who are not available to volunteer. Quesnel said she understands that some families are just too busy and she doesn’t want to scare anyone off.
“I think being co-op, everybody puts their heart into it and I think that’s what makes a big difference with this place.”
The school runs from September to June with extended hours of 8am to 5pm at no extra cost. But with only 12 students enrolled in the “teddy bear” (30 months to 5 years) program, and none enrolled in the “honey bees” program (18 to 30 months), the school is struggling.
“We are struggling, ever since kindergarten did go to full day; also you can put your kids into school at four years of age, we go up to five years here,” explained Quesnel.
However, Quesnel said volunteers have been ramping up fundraising efforts and community involvement to get the word out, so she is hopeful – but she cannot say for certain whether the school will remain open.
“We’re not quite there yet. It looks like we’ll be okay, I can’t 100 per cent confirm that but I’m feeling a little more optimistic now and every day we’re out in the community trying to drum up business,” she said.
Quesnel also said school officials have been at various local events, enhancing the school’s community focus.
“It’s such a community-based school and such a family-oriented school that honestly I love it here,” said Teddy bear teacher Leah Halls.
Quesnel said, “We’re really connected with things that are going on in the school and in the community.” She added students have been involved in a number of community efforts such as food bank donations and visiting seniors. Quesnel agreed Erin hasn’t grown much, which has affected enrolment at the nursery school.
“I know that is a big struggle with Erin because I think the community is getting older so we’re actually even reaching out to outside the community … (growth) plays a big factor,” she said.
Quesnel said anyone can help by donating to the school, spreading the word and by enrolling children in the programs.
