Unity College opens early learning centre
A new kindy and preschool at the Murray Bridge private school is about to welcome its first young learners.
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A new kindy and preschool service is about to open in Murray Bridge.
Unity College’s new early learning centre was full of grown-ups on Friday for an official opening.
Twenty preschoolers and kindy kids were expected to start at the centre on Monday.
When they arrive, they’ll find two poetically named spaces – the Wattle Room and Banksia Room – filled with books, toys and art supplies, ready for them to play and learn.
Principal Francois Pienaar hoped the centre would give its young pupils the best possible start in life.
“Our mission is to empower our children, providing an environment to actively engage them in their education with us,” he said.
“This building is more than just walls – it’s a dynamic third teacher.”
The Lutheran Bishop of South Australia and the Northern Territory, Andrew Brook, blessed the building before officially declaring it open.
Director Reagan Hill will lead half a dozen staff members at the centre.
It will be a close-knit team with strong local roots: three are ex-Unity students, one is a current parent, and two are year 11s doing school-based traineeships.
The ELC is currently accepting enrolments for children who will start kindy next term or next year.
In time, a second building will be constructed beside it for very young children, from infants to two-year-olds.
But that will come further down the track.
Like the kids who will start at the centre on Monday, they’ll need some time to grow.
The ELC’s completion means that all six primary schools in Murray Bridge now have kindergartens either on their grounds or close by.
Several other private centres offer early childhood education for younger kids.
- More information: Call Reagan Hill on 8532 0150, email rhill@unityelc.sa.edu.au or visit www.unitycollege.sa.edu.au.
