By ANEEKA SIMONIS
A BEACONSFIELD kindergartner now prides itself on providing cool care, with a new verandah recently installed to protect littlies from the elements.
On Wednesday 18 November, Beaconsfield Kindergarten officially opened the new verandah at their O’Neil Road centre.
Beaconsfield Kindergarten vice-president Erin McInerney said the care group identified a need for more consistent outdoor area for children during longer sessions following the introduction of their 15-hour care program in 2013.
“As the original verandah provided limited protection from sun and rain, plans to redevelop this area became a key focus,” she said.
Cardinia Shire councillors Brett Owen and Tania Baxter attended together with key council staff, and Beaconsfield Kindergarten staff, children and families joined together for the official opening.
The project was sponsored jointly between the kindergarten and the council as part of their capital works grants program.
“The result is a spectacular raised roofline featuring colourful, transparent perspex panels which reflect filtered sunlight onto the pathways below,” Ms McInerney said.
“The new under cover area allows for greater outdoor access and enables educators at the centre to extend their outdoor planning with a broader range of experiences for the children.”
