Horticulturist Ky Koszta’s love for outdoor spaces began when he was just four years old, and he was given the chance to play, learn, explore and grow at Tewantin Community Kindergarten.
Now 32-years later, Ky is giving his four-year-old daughter Ayla, the same first-hand experience to attend the much-loved early learning centre.
Nestled on the shores of Doonella, the kindergartens grounds are a perfect environment for young children to explore, filled with a newly installed nature-inspired playground and beautiful gardens that play host to Tewantin’s abundance of flora and fauna.
“I remember I loved the nature based outdoor play aspect of kindy, and the freedom I was given to discover,” Life Landscapes owner Ky said.
“My mother has proudly shared with me memories of my extravagant building skills from when I attended. Apparently, the teachers were so impressed that they would always keep my creations to show my mother at the end of the day.
“My interest in being outdoors and constructing continued to grow – and eventually led me to following a career in horticulture. As a parent you want your child to develop to their absolute full potential – and I wanted my daughter to be able to develop interests and imagination in the same beautiful natural surroundings as I did.
“It is a unique kindy, with its quaint homely feel and a small welcoming community. Being our daughters first time away from home it was important to us that the transition was gentle and considered and the staff were accommodating to that.
Ayla loves Kindy. She is craft crazy and is overjoyed with all the daily activities that allow her to creatively express herself. She loves getting into the dirt, water and sand and really exploring her surroundings letting her imagination go anywhere and everywhere she desires.”
Early childhood educator Helen Walsh taught Ky, and today is Ayla’s teacher – said the not- for-profit kindergarten has been focused on providing unique spaces that encourage play in the same quiet, natural setting since 1965.
“Through play children learn about themselves, about others and the world around them,“ she said.
The activities we provide for them are child-centred and are often based on ideas and events brought in by the children themselves. So, whether it’s time in the garden, creating artwork or reading, the children’s’ experiences are varied and exciting for them.“
