A long-time preschool program has closed after serving Richmond's South Arm community for more than three decades.
South Arm Community Association runs two streams of licensed preschool programs under Child's World Preschool and Preschool Parade.
However, the association announced earlier this month that it will no longer offer its Preschool Parade program, which has been offering programs for more than 30 years.
Beth Hume, preschool coordinator with the South Arm Community Association, said the association has seen a "consistent decline in registration numbers in the licensed preschool programs."
The current school year saw the program hosting 13 children out of 20 spaces in the Preschool Parade program, explained Hume.
"The decline in participation led to the decision to consolidate licensed preschool offerings at South Arm Community Centre commencing for the 2025/2026 school year," she told the Richmond News.
"There are a number of licensed child care providers in the South Arm area, which may be linked to the decline in participation at the community centre."
President of South Arm Community Association Dave Madeira said programs, not just the preschool program, are often determined by the needs of the community and the number of people registering for programs.
"It really comes down to how many people register in a program, and we as an association try to support the needs of the community," said Madiera, adding that "the needs of the community are great and varied."
He told the Richmond News that the volunteer-led association tries to accommodate the community's needs to the best of their abilities.
"If we get an uptick in something, we try to see if we can increase our programming for that, whatever it happens to be. At the end of the day, the key message is everyone is looked after."
Despite the closure of Preschool Parade, South Arm Community Centre will continue running preschool programs through Child's World Preschool.
Hume said that families who are enrolled in Preschool Parade have the option to register in Child's World Preschool, with public registration already open.
"The association is grateful to all the families that have participated in the Preschool Parade program over the years, and to the educators that have provided meaningful experiences for the young children in the community," said Hume.
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