Wānaka Preschool will be sharing any profits from its annual sustainable gala this month with KidsCan Charitable Trust which is raising $1.5M for preschools and schools ravaged by Cyclone Gabrielle.

The preschool’s annual gala is now in its third decade and the opportunity for local children to learn about helping others in need by contributing gala profits and cash donations to the charity was worth seizing, the preschool said.

Wānaka Preschool centre manager Laurie (Lo) Stevenson said the profit sharing idea was a parent-led initiative.  

“One of our families belongs to an iwi in one of the worst flood impacted areas.  She did quite a lot of research in trying to find the best fit and KidsCan was well set up to accept and distribute donations where needed,” Lo said.

This year’s gala will be held on Saturday March 25, from 10am - 2:00pm at the preschool centre on Tenby Street.

It will feature regular stalls of boutique preloved clothing and shoes; garden plants, indoor plants and flowers; preserves and goodies made from the preschool’s orchard and gardens; as well as activities such as face painting, a bouncy castle, construction table and craft making.

Covid-19 restrictions prevented last year’s event from proceeding but the 2021 gala “was a fabulous day with a great family fun atmosphere”, Lo said. 

Donations of preserving jars, herbs to dry, lavender to make rubs, books, spray free fruit or veggies, items for a white elephant stall and donations suitable to raffle would be very welcome for the community based non-profit centre, Lo said.

Donations can be dropped off at the centre, 106 Tenby Street, during the preschool’s opening hours, she said. 

In 2021 Wānaka Preschool was recognised for creating an environmentally healthy and sustainable community and was awarded the Green/Gold recognition by Enviroschools.   

The Enviroschools ethos encourages a connection with sustainable values in early childhood which creates a foundation of respect for the environment, as well as a respect for other cultures and people.

“This is the highest recognition and we are one of a few early childhood centres to gain Green/Gold. We decided the [annual] gala should focus on sustainability and decided to continue that ethos,” Lo said.

“We have fruit trees, a berry garden, vegie gardens and even a garden on top of our play hut.”

She said the preschool went solar several years ago and promotes recycling and sustainable habits by using cloth hand towels rather than paper, and encourages families to avoid disposable nappies by supplying cloth nappies.  

The children enjoy excursions in the local area, including visits to Bullock Creek Reserve, the Grebes and Pembroke Park.

“We have an ‘Explorers’ programme where one day a week the children are dropped off at Wānaka Station Park and they do all sorts of outdoor learning. Rain or shine.”

PHOTO: Wānaka App