Council gifts land to Preschool

19 February 2019

The Bega Preschool Association Incorporated will be able to push forward with building extension plans after Council recently agreed to gift two parcels of land in Koolgarra Drive to the group.

The land in question is the current site of the Preschool, with the divestment to be undertaken for the nominal sum of $1.00.

Council’s Property and Facilities Coordinator, Rickee Marshall, said the resolution was a positive result for both Council and the Preschool.

“Issues surrounding the ownership of the land have been identified from as far back as the mid 1970’s, with Council needing to give landowner’s consent on every occasion the Preschool has looked to expand and develop over the years,” Ms Marshall said.

“The buildings on the land are owned by Bega Preschool Association Incorporated and Council does not provide any capital renewal or maintenance support for these assets, therefore it makes perfect sense that they assume ownership of the land as well.

“As the Preschool celebrates 50 years of operation this year, it is great to be able to recognise the wonderful contribution it has made to the community and provide some further certainty moving forward.”

The Preschool’s Director/Early Childhood Teacher, Anne-Maree Carroll, thanked Council for gifting the land and outlined the plans for the extension.

“Our plans for the extension include a multi-purpose room, which will offer a myriad of opportunities for teachers and educators to further teach and support the children, particularly those with additional needs,” Ms Carroll said.

“We will also include a staff room for our hardworking and dedicated staff, who give their heart and soul to their work.

“Assuming ownership of the land means that we will be able to extend and strengthen our existing dedicated teaching of children with additional needs and support of their families, both through the planned extension and being able to explore grant funding opportunities.

“In November this year, when the renovations are complete, we plan to host an open day to celebrate the Preschool’s 50 years of offering Bega and the surrounding communities a high-quality Early Childhood Education.

“Research shows that children who receive quality Early Childhood Education are more likely to arrive at school equipped with the social, cognitive and emotional skills they need to engage in learning. A child needs a great parent and a great teacher as 90% of a child’s brain development occurs before the age of 5,” Ms Carroll said.

Bega Preschool Association Incorporated is a not for profit community-based preschool licenced by the Department of Education to provide early childhood education to 40 children per day between the ages of 3 and 6 years. 

Photograph: The Bega Preschool’s Thursday Magpies and Tadpoles classes are looking forward to an exciting year ahead.

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