Parents, children plea for ‘magical’ Ivanhoe Park Pre-School to be saved

It has been described as the ‘little known golden secret’ of Manly. But now, to much disappointment of many, Ivanhoe Park Pre-School is set to close as part of plans by the council to upgrade the area. Now there is a push to save the pre-school, writes parent Rohan Gowland.

Ivanhoe Park Pre-School parents Rohan Gowland & daughter Grace, 5, Sam Cooper with sons Will, 5, & Oli, 2, & Zuzana Benova & son Samko, 4, at Manly on Monday December 17th. Picture: (AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook)

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Manly has a little known golden secret. Just up the road from the beach bodies, the boutique brewed beers and the bearded baristas, there is an oasis known by few except the locals, where you can escape the madding crowds and picnic or play in the shade of Manly’s own Botanic Gardens.

But for the locals, the real gem hidden within the Ivanhoe Park Botanic Gardens is the pre-school nestled idyllically amongst giant established trees and lush plantings.

Ivanhoe Park Pre-School.

In an age where child care centres are commonly entirely indoors in air-conditioned office blocks, often located in industrial estates, where the trees are either plastic or painted on the walls, the children at the much loved Ivanhoe Park Pre-School are fortunate enough to spend their formative early years playing outside in fresh air, surrounded by natural beauty. The big tree in the middle of the play area was even the home of a brushtail possum, until she moved out recently.

Unfortunately for them, just like the possum, the children and educators will be packing their bags as Council has decided to close the pre-school as part of its plans to upgrade the park and gardens. The plans include demolishing the pre-school building, which council says “has reached the end of its life cycle” and erecting a pergola and possibly a cafe.

Ivanhoe Park Pre-School parent Zuzana Benova watches son Samko, 4, play outside the pre-school at Manly on Monday December 17th. Picture: (AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook)

Parents of children at the pre-school have questioned whether these plans are commensurate with the best interests of the community. One parent said, “If you want to attract people to the gardens, don’t just put a cafe — Manly has heaps of cafes — you need community. This pre-school is the basis for bringing in the community.”

And there is certainly a strong sense of community if you visit the playground just outside the pre-school any afternoon. This is the other factor that makes this pre-school unique. At many other pre-schools, parents might hardly know each other, as they only briefly rush in or out during the morning drop off and afternoon pick up.

Ivanhoe Park Pre-School supporters at Manly on Monday December 17th. Parents and kids are upset The Ivanhoe Park Pre-School is closing. Picture: (AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook)

But at Ivanhoe, the kids spill out of the pre-school into the adjacent playground and the parents linger and chat and get to know each other. As well as discussing surf conditions, weekend activities and general chit-chat, parenting troubles and tips are shared and friendship and support networks are formed.

For locals, the Ivanhoe Park Pre-School is a magical place, idyllically set amongst beautiful botanic gardens that is any parent’s or child’s dream place to forge lasting childhood memories as well as providing the relaxing surrounds where parents can meet, chat and support each other.

Ivanhoe Park Pre-School parent Rohan Gowland offers healthy fruit to supporters of the pre-school during a picnic at Manly on Monday December 17th. Picture: (AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook)

In his November newsletter, Member for Manly James Griffin MP, said he was “proud to announce an additional $100,000 to increase capacity at Kangaroo Street preschool in Manly by 30%”. Parents at Ivanhoe Park Pre-school have questioned whether Mr Griffin is aware that council is using the money to increase capacity at Kangaroo Street, as part of their plan to close Ivanhoe Park Pre-School and move the children to Kangaroo Street.

According to Mr Griffin, “Early childhood education, including … pre-school … is a priority for me and I will continue to support hard working local parents”. Hardworking local parents at Ivanhoe Park Pre-school fail to see how such strong support could allow such a valuable pre-school to be closed down.

●Rohan Gowland is a parent of one child who attends Ivanhoe Park Pre-School.

●Contact the parents on Facebook: Friends of Ivanhoe Park Pre-School.

CLOSURE IS STILL A YEAR OFF

Plans to demolish the Ivanhoe Park Pre-school to provide improved accessibility, a small playground and more public open space are still going ahead, according to Northern Beaches Council.

CEO Ray Brownlee said the move was a result of extensive community consultation — from 2015 to 2017 — and being located on a water course.

“The children from the pre-school will be relocated to a newly-refurbished centre at Kangaroo St, right nearby, and will enjoy regular excursions to the Ivanhoe Park Botanic Gardens and the new playground there,” he said.

The Manly Community Pre-school on Kangaroo St will undergo extensive renovations and expansion in 2019 to allow the pupils and team to be located in one pre-school — increasing from 40 to 60 places — in 2020. During this time pupils will attend Ivanhoe Park and will be able to later move out together - LOUISE STARKEY.