Valentino Road Park in Tokai was alive on Wednesday 20 September with show-and-tell activities thanks to friendly local collaborations from various safety stakeholders in the community creating awareness for preschoolers at play.
Robyn Patterson of the local kindergarten, Robyn’s Nest, drove the initiative saying: “The reason I wanted this get-together is because we live in such a lovely community and, as a small kindergarten, we feel isolated at times.”
And so, curious kiddies from Wise Owl Primary, Pitter Patter Playschool and Fuzzy Bunnies Day Care all joined in the day’s playful meet-and-greet.
“This was the ideal opportunity to reach out to other day cares to do a meet-and-greet while creating awareness about all the wonderful people in our safety networks providing public services that safeguard our community,” Patterson elaborated.
She added that Kirstenhof police, Lakeside fire and rescue services, Kirstenhof Crime Watch (KCW) as well as SRU Security and armed response were all invited to offer the children a show-and-tell of their respective roles in community safety.
“It was also a way for us to show our appreciation to these worthy stakeholders.”
Patterson added this formed part of their school’s theme of “Community Helpers” in which the children are taught about the working cogs within one’s community.
“It was so amazing to see the awareness created during this collaboration. We learned more about the safety network and the roles played by each stakeholder.
“The teachers were equally pleased with the wonderful volunteers working so well by keeping the children engaged and entertained,” Patterson continued.
Kyle Clarke, KCW chair, said “the highlight, of course, was me playing the bad guy during an illustration with our K9 Unit’s trusted canine, Blake, handled by Matthew Campbell”.
“Thank you to Robyn’s Nest for the initiative and to Lakeside Fire & Rescue, Kirstenhof police, SRU Security and Medical and Matthew Campbell with Blake for inspiring our youngsters,” Clarke concluded.
