Preschool going from strength to strength

Fordell Preschool's new bike track has been given the thumbs-up by its young students.

Thanks to a recent weekend-long working bee by the preschool's committee and parents, it now has its very own bike track.

It takes up half the playground, and features a shellrock flat track with some bumps and jumps for the more adventurous children.

Head teacher Maria Gabbott said the bike track had proved very popular, with kids using it for cycling, running and even pushing dolls in prams.

"When they saw it they were so excited - their mouths just dropped open. That first day, we had every single kids on the track."

Some children bring their own bikes to preschool with them; but the preschool does have its own bikes that the pupils can use.

""We find that the boys are more keen on the jumps, while the girls prefer to take it at a slower pace.

"It helps to extend their skills and make them more confident on their bikes."

Thumbs up: Fordell Preschool students love their new bike track. From left: Marcus Smith, Rory Sutton, Keegan Spicer and Angus Gordon.Photo/Bevan Conley

Ms Gabbott said the other change happening at the preschool is that it will soon be open five days a week.

Starting from the week of November 13, the preschool will be open Monday to Friday. Currently it is closed on Wednesdays.

"We've decided to do this to meet the needs of the community, and we've definitely had a positive response from the community," Ms Gabbott said.

She said adding the extra day had not been a big task - the preschool applied to have its licence extended, and that was granted.

The preschool can take up to 23 children a day.

"We do have some spaces available, and we also offer half-days," Ms Gabbott said.