IT’S been a long and winding journey, but all the obstacles faced in relocating the KU Koala Preschool were quickly forgotten yesterday as dozens of residents gathered to celebrate the opening of Wagga’s newest education centre.
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The state-of-the-art two-room learning complex, which will have the capacity to hold up to 40 children, was officially opened by Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli and Wagga mayor Kerry Pascoe.
Addressing KU Koala employees, parents and council representatives, Mr Piccoli stressed the importance of early childhood education – an area which has been of focus since early childhood education was brought under the care of the Department of Education, allowing for funding to be allocated to schools and organisations up to 12 months faster than previously.
“There is growing recognition that if we want to make a difference in school for the students we have got to have a good-quality early childhood experience,” he said.
“That is why our target is to get 95 per cent of kids, the year before school, going to preschool.”
Looking around the new bright and spacious facility on Murray Street yesterday, KU Koala Preschool director Dibbs Cowley said she was pleased with how smooth the transition had been from the preschool’s former location on Trail Street.
Ms Cowley said a lot of emphasis had been put on creating a welcoming outdoor area which would let the
children play, explore and learn in an uninterrupted environment.
“As much as this is exciting ... it will be great to get in to what we do best – working with children and families,” she said.
KU Koala’s former Trail Street address is set to be the location of a new bowling alley.
