Alūksne County is facing a significant decline in the number of children attending preschool, illustrated by the statistics from the "Saulīte" preschool, which currently has only 53 enrolled students across its two facilities. The director, Viola Lāce, has highlighted that there has been a noticeable decrease in enrollment, with predictions for the upcoming year suggesting even lower numbers—possibly between 5 and 7 children per group. This alarming trend indicates a need for reorganization within the educational system, particularly regarding group sizes and staffing.

Currently, Alūksne County has seven facilities available for preschool education. However, while Latvia as a whole has experienced a 23% decline in children aged six and under since 2019, Alūksne is facing an even steeper decline of approximately 28%. Education Department head Gunta Kupča notes that while there are no immediate changes planned for the existing preschool infrastructure, projections are being evaluated for the upcoming academic year. This situation may necessitate significant adaptations if enrollment continues to dwindle, possibly affecting the accessibility and quality of early childhood education in the region.

The implications of these demographic shifts could extend beyond just numbers; they may point to broader socio-economic trends within Alūksne, affecting community vitality and long-term planning for educational resources. If the trend persists, local authorities may need to rethink educational strategy, potentially consolidating resources or expanding alternative educational offerings to adapt to the changing landscape.