Creche defies vandalism
The staff and parents at Paremata Plunket Creche have turned a negative into a positive with the recent spruce-up of the daycare centre’s exterior.
All of the creche’s perspex windows, which were installed in the fence at kids’ height, were smashed in the first week of term. Supervisor Tammy Harper said it was the worst vandalism she she had experienced in her five years at the creche, which, despite the name, is in Whitby village, next to the library.
Tammy said the staff and committee had already been thinking of ways to improve its outdoor environment, so the broken glass proved to be the impetus for action.
‘‘We’ve tied it in to our self-review. Providing an aesthetically pleasing environment is part of the creche’s philosophy, and we felt we weren’t stepping up to the mark.’’
A working bee was held on May 21, with parents chipping in with Tammy and teacher Aimee Lennan to clean, paint fences, refill the sandpit and provide an all-round spruce up.
Donations helped pay the $1100 to replace the windows, and plants were also gifted.
‘‘ We’re lucky for the donations of money and plants and pots, and very lucky today, to have got parents’ time,’’ said Tammy.
A fresh coat of paint to the interior is still to come and a parent has offered to sew up some new cushion covers.
The creche takes 11 children each morning session, catering to about 50 families. Its sessions are full, but they are keen to build the waiting list. Email: paremataplunketcreche@xtra.co.