The staff and children at Milton’s Early Foundations pre-school were devastated when their garden was vandalised only a week after it was planted.
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Vandals pulled plants out and stomped all over the freshly completed native garden at the Myrtle Street complex last Saturday night.
Pre-school and day care centre director Donna Marfleet said the garden was a beautiful learning area for the children and she was disappointed that someone would destroy it.
“The garden is a valuable part of the children’s learning,” she said.
“We have a rainforest area and are building a desert and billabong area complete with Australian native plants and animals so the children can learn about the different environments.”
Donna said the garden was built with the help of the centre’s 85 families, with many donating plants and animal statues.
She said the Early Foundation philosophy was reflected in the garden, with the roots representing the children, the tree trunks their families and the branches their community.
“The children are learning about being part of a community, so to see the garden damaged by people in the community is really sad,” she added.
More than $1000 has been injected into the garden, with families encouraged to contribute.
Donna said the centre has a water tank that is used by children to water the garden and a herb and vegetable garden has also been planted in the back yard, along with a worm farm to teach children about sustainability and natural resources.
