Kindy takes classroom outdoors

Wanganui Roundtable's Grant Hird is pictured with Harriette Vine Kindergarten preschoolers (from left) Sophie Toyne, Jaime Munro, Lucas Penaflor and (front) Max Candish. Photo/Stuart Munro

Smelling, touching and being in the outdoors is on the drawing board for Harriette Vine Kindergarten preschoolers' new nature discovery outdoor classroom.

Head teacher Brenda Kidd said the kindergarten has been given access to a private location with climbable trees and where the children can find materials to build huts.

The children will also have an outdoor cookery where they can cook their own food.

All going to plan, the nature discovery outdoor classroom should be ready in term two.

The new area will be "excursion only", Ms Kidd said, which required the Carlton kindergarten to work on policies around safety.

Ms Kidd said popularity for outdoor discovery areas was growing, but this was the first for the Wanganui region.

Ms Kidd and teacher Nanette Maslin have worked on the plans together. To make the project a success and eliminate barriers for their families, they have written to charity sponsors for financial help.

Wanganui Roundtable has donated $250 to kick off the kindergarten's new outdoor venture, which will go toward waterproof pants.

"This funding will provide the children with a complete set of wet weather gear," she said.

But they will still require funding for waterproof jackets, hats and boots.

Other equipment like ropes and tarpaulins will be purchased as the children need it to extend their learning.The community can follow the project at the Harriette Vine Facebook page.