The McKay Children’s Centre in Penola recently received an upgrade, which has transformed the centre into a more calming and inviting space.

McKay Children’s Centre preschool director Kylie Tull said the kids were loving the new space and the upgrade had made a difference.

“We have had a lot of positive feedback from families just that it’s a nice space to enter as you come in the door, it looks a lot calmer and just a nicer space to be,” Ms Tull said.

The laminate tables were replaced with tables made from natural materials and Solomon’s Flooring replaced the old blue vinyl flooring with timber-look flooring throughout the whole centre.

“We have got a very committed and passionate governing council who have done a lot of fundraising over the last few years and have committed the use of funds to updating our spaces,” Ms Tull said.

“So flooring was a really big part of that and it’s made a massive difference to the centre.

“We definitely find the natural and the wood finishings creates a really calming space, so that’s good for kids without too much visual clutter.”

Ms Tull said the governing council also approved the expenditure of new furniture for the childcare and kindergarten.

“A few purchases and the whole space looks like it’s been transformed,” Ms Tull said.

“We do count ourselves as being inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy and so one of the things the Reggio philosophy includes is acknowledging their environment as being the third teacher.

“So that means the learning environment is actually really, really important for children in their learning.

“It definitely makes the environment more inviting and therefore more engaging.”