Rotorua daycare grateful for its new look

A Rotorua daycare is grateful for the helping hand it received from members of the community last Saturday to spruce up its building.

The Stepping Stones Learning Environment received sponsorship from Dulux including labour through its Accredited Painters Programme.

Dulux Rotorua Area Sales Representative Chris Lord says it had a community day once a year which people can apply for.

He says in Rotorua there are two members of the programme which he called on for some help - Don McCarrison, Bay Decorators 2012 LTD and Peter Rice, Decorative Services.

He says it is nice to do a feel-good project and Rotorua is the kind of place which has a great community feel to it.

Stepping Stones Learning Environment owner Debbie Nelson says it is a great feeling to see the new exterior completed.

Debbie bought the business from the ABC BestStart centre and set up her own - Stepping Stones - six months ago, so before the paint job the building had been in the ABC BestStart's centre's colours.

"It's a fresh start for us as a team and centre."

She says when the children turned up on Monday a few of them said "Where's our kindy gone" since it was a different colour.

"It looks beautiful. It's quite modern and it suits our name as well."

She says a massive thank you to the three teams which helped.

Peter Rice, director of Decorative Services, says that after speaking to his crew everyone, without batting an eye, turned up.

"It's nice to be able to help out. My philosophy is to help out when you can.

"We are just happy to be a part of it all."

Peter says this is not the first time they have done a community project like this, with another example being painting graves at Ohinemutu, which Dulux supplied the paint for too.

They have also done bits and pieces for elderly people.

Don McCarrison, owner of Bay Decorators 2012 LTD, says it was lovely to do something for the community.

He says the painting was done pretty quickly with a great team.

"It was a pleasure to do something with Dulux and for the community."