Jan Juc Preschool welcomes families with picnic

JAN Juc Preschool has ticked off its first social event of the year with the 2024 welcome picnic, held on Thursday last week.

The picnic, held at the Bob Pettit Reserve, was organised by the Jan Juc Preschool’s Parent Advisory Group (PAG) and welcomed about 200 families.

Jan Juc Preschool PAG member Emily Curnow said the picnic was all about bringing together families that are part of the kinder community, especially those new to the pre-school, and allowing parents to meet each other.

“Kids can familiarise themselves with families as a unit as opposed to just the kids that they’re in a class with.

“It’s really just an opportunity for people to sit and enjoy company in that community group.”

The afternoon included a sausage sizzle run by the Lions Club, face painting and a Welcome to Country by Jan Juc Preschool educator Sue Gout.

Surf Coast Shire mayor Liz Pattison spoke at the event about togetherness and a sense of community.

Ms Curnow said the get together was a low-key afternoon providing an opportunity for people to meet and spend time together.

The annual picnic also allows for the PAG to show the kinder community what they do, and their vital role in funding.

“The Parent Advisory group is really active in terms of allowing for a lot of additional activities and opportunities for the kinder kids,” Ms Curnow said.

“Creating a stronger sense of awareness and understanding about what the PAG does to encourage and ask people to get involved is a really big part.”

Ms Curnow said the group was made up of parent volunteers who were part of the kinder community, and helped fundraise for initiatives including buses to beach kinder, music programmes, excursions, upgrades around the kindergarten and more.