Yenda Preschool celebrates completion of long-awaited playground upgrades

After five years of planning and weeks of construction, Yenda Preschool is celebrating the long-awaited upgrades to the playground; named 'Cindy's Vision' after designer Cindy Wallace.

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The school invited the entire community to the yard on March 20 to enjoy celebrating the new space with some bush tucker, performances from the Marrambidya Dance Group and cutting the ribbon on the new space.

Annaleyse Grady, Tegan Simpson, Sophie Grady, Caprice Gastin, Sasha Grady and Gigi Grady. Picture by Cai Holroyd

Director of Yenda Preschool Christian Callinan said that the environment would foster an environment where kids could be challenged and taught while having fun.

"This design was to improve on our outdoor environment by respectfully embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, challenging children cognitively and physically with elements of risky play," he said.

"[It's] providing a safe place where children can freely explore the natural open and closed environments, a place where children can use their imagination, develop socially with their peers in dramatic play roles, whilst being creative."

He was especially pleased with the miniature golf course, but the yarning circle held additional meaning as the school looks to the future.

"By participating in today's ceremonies and utilising this Yarning Circle, we are actively contributing to this future. We are teaching our children the importance of empathy, respect, and unity, and equipping them with the tools they need to build a more inclusive and harmonious society," he said.

The Marrambidya Dance Group performing at the ceremony. Picture by Cai Holroyd

Changes to the yard include:

Bike ramp/bridge.
Added two more flag poles to further embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
Bike fuel station/bike wash.
Extension of original bike track with speed humps and pedestrian crossings.
Digging patch.
Interchangeable swing set to allow for inclusivity by changing the type of swing.
Extension of soft fall area for gross motor play.
New sandstone boarder for sandpit.
Deck with a hand water pump.
Creek bed.
Garden beds.
Multipurpose space that can be use as a three-hole golf course or small obstacle course.
More appealing entry to cubby house.
Fixed obstacle course through gardens.
Yarning circle to also embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and practices.
Multipurpose arbour for dramatic play/ gross motor activities.
Relocation of gravity wall.

Mr Callinan said that they were feeling positive about the upgrades.

"I'm feeling great now that it's done," he said.

"We started construction on January 13 and finished in mid-February. There was a lot of tweaking over the creation."

Cindy Wallace cutting the ribbon to open the new space. Picture by Cai Holroyd

Cindy Wallace said she was pleasantly surprised to learn that the new space would be named after her.

"It started out as my idea, it's progressed and evolved from that. It was quite a while ago that I came up with the original plan ... Everything was fairly standard before and there was opportunity to make it exceptional," she said.

"I figured we could utilise it in a way that incorporated a lot more culture ... They can build on what they've put here now which is good."

Mr Callinan said that they wouldn't be resting up after the reveal, and was already looking at next projects including expanding the carpark and planning for the school's 60th anniversary.