The kids of the Peter Pan Preschool in Wangi Wangi are enjoying a revamped playground area thanks to a recent federal Stronger Communities grant of $7,111.

The 60-year-old preschool on Dobell road enjoys the shade of several large trees during summer but those same trees can bring bats overnight which were soiling the playground, says the Director of Peter Pan Preschool, Lynne Howard.

“The bats were leaving a bit of a mess and we applied for a Stronger Communities grant so we could have a shade cloth built over the sand pit area.”

The preschool used the grant to also lay an environmentally friendly artificial turf across the playground, improving the amenity and safety of the preschool.

“Because we have such large trees at the preschool, the grass doesn’t really grow under them and we needed a covering because the outdoor areas were becoming muddy.”

Joel Fitzgibbon, federal Member for Hunter, said he was pleased to see community organisations applying for funding and using the money for deserving projects.

“Programs such as Stronger Communities were established so that smaller projects that might not gain the attention of government, can be funded for the benefit of the community.

“I’m happy to see federal funds invested in the Hunter’s and Australia’s future, by improving the quality of our preschools. I encourage all preschools to follow the example of Peter Pan, and apply for Stronger Communities.”

Lynne Howard, who has been Director of Peter Pan for 12 years, says the fees of the Wangi Wangi preschool are kept lower than comparable preschools and Peter Pan has a very good ratio of four educators for every 20 children.

“We rely on the support of government and council to make quality preschool affordable for all parents.”