This is to better cater for the needs of the children who use the service.

PECC is a community based not-for-profit service providing early childhood services for children 0-5 years, with funds re-directed back into providing a high quality learning environment.  

PECC was established in 1954 from community funding and has been operating continuously for 59 years.

The PECC Management Committee engaged a Landscape Designer to produce plans based on a brief to enhance the outdoor play areas at the Centre to allow children, their carers and families of all abilities to access and enjoy the outdoor play areas and playground equipment at the Centre.

“PECC would like to re-develop the playground to provide an up to date all-ability playground, incorporating sensory elements to cater for the various needs of children at the Centre,” Management Committee Chairman Craig Smith said.

“A very capable Garden Sub-Committee has been formed of interested parents to see this major project to fruition.  

“The project involves fundraising, seeking grant funding, sourcing donations and volunteers and getting the work done.  

“It is hoped that we will have the major infrastructure in place well in time for PECC's 60th birthday celebrations next year.”

The playground is being re-developed to include many additional sensory elements including mud play, a herb garden, sound tubes, water play and paths which will incorporate many textures to enhance the senses.  

Last year saw PECC construction of a series of vegetable gardens which have brought much delight to the children, enabling them to learn more about producing and enjoying not only the great outdoors, but fresh, healthy food, and taking responsibility for their garden.

"PECC's philosophy reflects inclusive practice and it is important that children of all abilities are able to learn and play together,” Craig said. 

“It is our goal that all children will have the same opportunities by providing a playground where children from a range of abilities are able to play side-by-side.”

The integration of a range of sensory activities into the new playground will also provide additional opportunities for all of the children by providing additional places for play, and opportunities for engagement. 

The sensory elements in the playground will stimulate the children’s other senses including texture, sound and smell.

PECC is currently seeking funding for Phase 1 of the project, which is to replace bark chip/ soft fall with a new hard form rubber product to allow children, their carers and families of all abilities to access the playground equipment.  

The replacement of the soft fall represents a large investment for a community based centre, so the Committee has been hard at work applying for government and corporate grants to supplement their fundraising activities.

The re-development of the playground will also provide an opportunity for the Centre to further engage with the surrounding community and continue to develop strong and inclusive community links.  

PECC has plans to approach local community groups to become involved in the re-development of the playground, including support for fundraising initiatives, requests for labour and material assistance and even pieces of sculpture and art to incorporate in to the garden. 

Creating these links will hopefully help in bringing the community back into the centre in the lead up to the 60th birthday celebrations next year.  Many Parkes locals have attended PECC and now their children or even grandchildren are involved in the centre.

"It would be fantastic if stage one of the new PECC All Ability Sensory Playground could be completed to coincide with these celebrations" said Mr. Smith.

PECC continues to foster important community relationships, and whilst working closely with Parkes Shire Council, also invited the Member for Dubbo, Troy Grant to meet with staff and parents at the centre.  

Mr Grant inspected the current outdoor play areas, and reviewed the plans for the redevelopment, in the hope he can suggest some future funding avenues that PECC is able to pursue in seeing this project to fruition.

PECC is involved with the upcoming Open Garden Scheme to showcase its new vegetable patch which was completed with the assistance of volunteer labour and involved donations from local businesses.  

The popular Open Gardens scheme will take place in September, and will provide a chance for the community to see firsthand the vegetable garden, and the additional landscaping work that is planned and being done at PECC.

Any parents and community members that are interested in assisting with this Landscaping project are encouraged to contact PECC Director Lindy Farrant on (02) 6862 3500 or Garden Committee Member Melissa Matthews on 0417 659 757 to discuss how they might be able to be involved.