THE gates of Millicent North Kindergarten will be open to the community next week as children, parents and educators celebrate the completion of major facility upgrades.
The centre will host an open night event to showcase the interior redevelopment and sandpit upgrade with the community invited to explore the changes.
Kindergarten director Donna Barber said the renovations had made the facility modern and visually appealing and the overall feedback had been positive.
“In 2015, we received a grant to upgrade the bathroom facilities to the national quality standards, however to make space for the bathroom area, some other areas had to be moved,” she said.
“The kindergarten ended up with a new kitchen and office, plus heating, cooling, lighting, a wash trough, painting and storage in the undercover verandah area.
“We now feel it is a visually appealing, modern, user-friendly place for our staff, children and families.
“We have had many compliments on the new look space, especially by people who remember how it looked before the new work was undertaken.”
The interior upgrade complemented the site-funded work in the outdoor learning area, which was completed last year.
A new sandpit was the main focus for fundraising and the final design was created by students with the assistance of kindergarten early childhood worker Tracy Pratt.
As part of the project, a hand pump was installed to service a creek bed running under a bridge, as well as a boat facade children also use as a house or castle.
The sandpit was also separated into smaller spaces surrounded by rocks, logs and native grasses.
“The sandpit area has totally changed the way our children engage with the new space and we have noticed more creative and cooperative play between children,” Ms Barber said.
“Play is more open-ended and child led, with the children making decisions for themselves, rather than relying on educators to set up areas ready for them to use.”
Flooring in the main room was also replaced as part of the upgrade, giving the centre a new lease of life.
The kindergarten community invites all those interested to join them Wednesday from 5.30pm to 7pm for the open night event.
A barbecue, finger food and light refreshments will be available for a gold coin donation.
The upgrades will be officially opened and there will be a cake cutting ceremony.
