In a display of community spirit, The Range Community Kindergarten in Mapleton has opened its doors to offer much-needed space to the Nambour Community Kindy in James Street, Nambour following the devastating floods that impacted their premises in the wake of Cyclone Alfred. This act of generosity ensures that the educational journey for 27 James Street kindy families can continue uninterrupted.
The James Street kindy, a part of the Nambour community for over 65 years, experienced significant flooding, with water inundating their buildings and damaging essential equipment. Compounding the distress, the kindergarten’s insurance claim was denied due to their proximity to a creek, a situation that is sadly anticipated to affect more community kindergartens in the region.
Despite the disheartening news, the James Street kindy has shown remarkable resilience. Their recent Facebook update conveyed both the challenges of the past seven weeks and the immense relief of finding a temporary solution. “We are so blessed to have a wonderful community and excited to share that The Range Community Kindergarten have opened their home to us,” the update stated, announcing a shared occupancy agreement.
Under this arrangement, James Street kindy will operate from The Range Community Kindergarten on Thursdays and Fridays, while The Range kindy will continue their regular schedule on Mondays, Tuesdays, and alternating Wednesdays. This collaboration allows both groups to utilise the Mapleton location, ensuring continuity for the children and providing the James Street committee and staff valuable time to plan their rebuild.
Brooklyn Coyle, Range Community Kindergarten President, shed light on the motivations behind their offer of support. “We appreciate how important early childhood education is, and we will also support our fellow community kindergarteners that have been serving our communities for many years,” she explained. The decision was immediate, driven by a desire to help fellow educators and support working parents.
The initial days of the shared arrangement have already yielded positive outcomes. “Our kindy teaching team and James Street get to connect and support each other professionally, we get to utilise our premises fully – it is now an extra vibrant space!” Brooklyn noted. The experience has also provided a fresh perspective on their own teaching environment, with the James Street kindy team respecting their established routines.
For The Range Community Kindergarten, the collaboration has reinforced the importance of community interconnectedness. “I think now, just the reminder that we are one community and what is important is our children,” Brooklyn reflected. “Community kindergartens are focused on community. We are not a branch model that has a pure commercial focus. We are a charity organisation that continually focuses on the best outcome for our communities.”
As the Nambour Community Kindergarten embarks on the long road to recovery, the support from The Range Community Kindergarten exemplifies the strength and compassion within the Sunshine Coast community. The message from Brooklyn resonates deeply: “A key message is for our broader community to continue to support our local community kindergartens. We are here for our families, and we need our community’s support to remain viable and vibrant for the long term.”
The James Street kindy community, buoyed by this act of kindness, remains determined to rebuild and reopen their centre. They anticipate a need for significant community support in the coming months, including professional services, materials, and fundraising efforts. Their journey underscores the vital role community spirit plays in overcoming adversity and ensuring that future generations have access to the nurturing foundation of early childhood education.
To offer your support, provide assistance, or contribute in any way to the James Street kindy rebuild, please reach out via email at committee@rangekindy.qld.edu.au.
Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only.