IT’s been 19 years since Diane Macpherson first turned up to work at Gloucester’s community owned preschool but it’s a journey that is coming to an end.
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When preschool resumes after the Christmas break, ‘Di Di’ (as the children call her) will not be amongst the staff on-site.
“After 19 years, it’s time for a change,” she said, adding she was going to take some time off.
As director of the preschool for 17 years and a teacher for the last two, she said it was good to look back and see how it had changed.
“There’s been great growth. When I came there was barely any funding and we got our paper from council and lived off donated toys. We had two staff working one room 3 ½ days per week. Now we’re open five days with two rooms and 12 staff,” she said.
“It’s great to see the centre used so well.”
Di said the role of the not for profit preschool was important within the community and gave parents a voice to how its finances were re-injected back into the school.
“It really gives them a sense of ownership. This is their preschool.”
Di said she had enjoyed her time with the service, and particularly wanted to thank parents for the privilege of working with their children over the years.