The Tumboosh facility in Tumbarumba has added a new service for the community with the relaunch of the Carcoola Children’s Centre ‘School Readiness Program’. The Tumboosh facility was established last year with the support of a generous grant from the Hyne Community Trust to provide the only before and after school care and vacation program for primary school children in Tumbarumba.
The School Readiness Program conducted by the neighbouring Carcoola Children’s Centre for pre-schoolers will utilise the Tumboosh facility during the day when it’s otherwise not in use.
Early Childhood Teacher Megan Couzens explains that school readiness is an important focus for those commencing primary school next year.
“Primary school is a very different learning environment from pre-school and it is challenging to focus on school readiness when there is a mix of students who may or may not be commencing school next year.
“Tumboosh is a fantastic new facility intended for before and after school care but why not make additional use of it during the day as part of a focused school readiness program?”
The School Readiness Program will create a more formal classroom environment with age appropriate, school readiness activities for students who will definitely commence school next year, says Couzens. Between 12 and 17 children will benefit from the new School Readiness Program each day depending on daily enrolments, she added.
While the School Readiness Program has been part of the Centre’s programs in the past, lack of space had previously affected their ability to run the program effectively.
Chair of the Hyne Community Trust, Dale McLachlan said that a grant of $86,000 was made towards establishing the dedicated Tumboosh facility to provide before and after school care in the region; it was also one of the single largest grants given out to date by the Trust. That the grant would be able to provide even more benefit than initially applied for, was appreciated, he noted.
McLachlan acknowledged the efforts of the Snowy Valleys Council and their children’s services staff for their initiative and dedication, which continues to see improvements to their local services. With the 2019 round of grants opening for applications on 1 June, he requested community groups and organisations in the Tumbarumba region to familiarise themselves with the guidelines. Projects valued over $10,000 that can deliver long term benefits to the community will be eligible for the grant.
Recent examples of successful Hyne Community Trust applications include Cycle Tumbarumba with a $50,000 grant towards the Pump Track, The Rotary Club for their new storage building and Carcoola Children’s Services towards their building extension.
