Major revamp for Karingal PLACE Kindergarten playground

Published on 16 December 2020

The Karingal PLACE Kindergarten kids are all smiles following a major revamp of their playground.

Kindergarten teacher Sharyn Murray said the 40 plus children attending this year had keenly watched their outdoor space be transformed from a multi-level, limited area into a natural and inviting play space. 

“The children were all very excited when they got to explore the new space and loved the climbing, swings and drawing on the blackboards. We also have a creek bed with running water, veggie patches, a digging patch and logs used as seating and climbing from the original gum tree that stood in the old yard,” Ms Murray said.

North-West Ward Cr Sue Baker said the works included a large increase in the available play space and design that complied with all ability and equitable access requirements.

“Over 350 cubic metres of soil was removed and a retaining wall over 65 lineal metres long was constructed.”

Cr Baker said the new play area featured sensory elements with tactile opportunities including water play, sand and digging pits, vegetable gardens, climbing and a selection of fragrant plants.

“Kindergarten is an important step for young children – enabling them to learn, socialise, play and have fun in a nurturing environment. These important works underscore Frankston City’s commitment to achieving this.

“Research shows that early education helps set children up for a bright future and attending two years of quality kindergarten has even greater benefits,” Cr Baker said.

Karingal PLACE Kindergarten is based at Karingal PLACE Neighbourhood Centre and offers both three-year-old and four-year-old programs, which are run by Community Kinders Plus.

Enrolments are open for 2021. For more information, visit www.frankston.vic.gov.au, email info@frankston.vic.gov.au or phone 9784 1862.