The community is wrapping support around the Avenues Kindergarten after the not-for-profit facility – which cares for local 50 children and families – this month suffered its worst-ever vandalism attack.

On Sunday, August 7, a neighbour to the kindergarten heard the sound of glass smashing, only to look over the fence and see the culprits in action who took off once sighted.

The result is an estimated $7000-$8000 worth of damage – however a Givealittle page set up by a kindy parent has raised so far more than $2500 to help cover initial costs.

Avenues Kindergarten head teacher Catherine Geddes says staff were alerted by the neighbour just after midday August 7.

'The neighbour heard glass being smashed about 12.30pm and looked over the fence to see one of our spades being thrown through a window.

'He came over and those involved took off – so he got in touch with us, as we've had problems before.”

Extensive

Catherine says the damage is extensive – the worst the kindergarten has experienced.

'They broke into our carpentry cupboard then had access to hammers, saws and nails.

'They've used the tools to smash our sandpit shed and to break some windows of the kindergarten. There were also scissors in the carpentry cupboard, so they've climbed up and cut our shade sail to bits.”

The kindergarten's bark wood edging to the outdoor playground was hacked with a hammer and had nails banged into it.

Catherine says glass and nails were everywhere.

'That was what shut us down – it was a health and safety issue. The safety glass just goes everywhere; glass went all through the building and all through the gardens as well.”

Church helpers

Catherine, who is still gaining quotes for repair-work, says the kindergarten shut the Monday afterwards to clean up. 'Thankfully, the neighbour who alerted us contacted his church – about seven people from Redeemer Church on Second Ave came to help us clean-up that afternoon.

'They scoured the whole outside area, so we only had to deal with inside on Monday. Five of us had to go through every basket and every toy-box to clean out any fragments of glass.”

The tools the vandals used to cause the destruction at the Avenues Kindergarten.

Catherine says the kindergarten has experienced vandalism before, but this incident is the worst.

'It's frustrating and annoying for parents who couldn't bring their kids in the next day. But moreover, it's just so wasteful and destructive and we just felt sad that someone would do this to a kindergarten.”

The silver lining has been the community support shown.

'One parent asked if she set up a Givealittle page. We said: ‘Go for it', thinking we wouldn't get much but every bit would help towards our insurance excess of $2500 and new security cameras costing about $1000.”

As of Wednesday 38 donors had donated $2550 to the ‘Help restore Avenues Kindy' Givealittle page, which aims to raise the $3500 initially needed.

'It's been huge,” says Catherine. 'It just shows we are really valued in our community. We've also had lovely comments from our parents on our internal app. It's been really cool.”

With glass repaired, the kindergarten is now working to repair the rest of the damage.

'We're a not-for-profit incorporated society, with 50 children on our roll, five teachers and an administrator – so it has been a big hit for us.”

To support the kindergarten, visit: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-restore-avenues-kindy

The only remnant left to be seen of the damage done at Avenues Kindergarten.