Fresh turf for child care centre

Umina Child Care Centre is one of 15 schools and community groups across Australia identified as needing a green makeover and will now receive fresh turf in the New Year for free.

This is the second year of the Perfect Patch of Green initiative between peak body Turf Australia and Junior Landcare.

Mardi Park Turf is donating the turf to Umina Child Care and will also lay the turf, ensuring the success and longevity of the area.

Umina Child Care will receive turf over an area of 44 square metres in the two to six-year-olds outdoor playground.

This is a space where children and educators can simply enjoy 'being' and watch the grass grow, the ants walking up a blade of grass, roll around and relax while providing a sensory release or a place to lay down and watch the clouds and observe nature.

Early childhood educator and director Ms Sandra Luxford said: "As educators we have strong philosophical beliefs and understandings about the natural world and the sensory benefits it provides the children."

"We see the outdoor world then as an extension of the early childhood classroom (the natural classroom, a place where worthwhile and meaningful lessons can be taught and discovered by mother nature).

"Preparing, planting and marinating the turf within our outdoor environment will provide an abundance of hands on learning experiences and opportunities for the children and educators.

Media release, 18 Dec 2013

Vivienne Reiner, Landcare Australia