It never occurred to the teachers at Stoke Kindergarten that someone would steal their playground slide.
When the much-loved yellow slide disappeared, staff assumed that another teacher had packed it away in the storage shed.
It wasn’t until days later they realised that the slide, along with a disc swing and water tap fittings, had been stolen.
Staff believe the burglary happened over King’s Birthday weekend, but they didn't realise the equipment was missing until 16 June.
“We just thought someone else had put them in the shed,” head teacher Ness Gundry says.
“[The slide] is attached to a box with a bolt. It wouldn’t be easy to remove.”
Ness says that they are all missing the slide.
“It brought a lot of joy. We are a not-for-profit organisation… and to take equipment that belongs to the children is really low. It impacts the programme and their experiences.”
Ness says that their insurance won’t cover the cost to replace the slide as their excess is too high, so sadly they will have to go without it.
She estimates it would cost just over $1000 to replace.
In the meantime, they have gotten creative with the equipment they do have and designed other physical challenges for the tamariki.
Vanessa says that they have filed the incident with police.
A police spokesperson confirmed to Nelson Weekly that officers have received a report of the burglary and are investigating.
“The burglary was reported to have occurred at some point between 1-6 June. Enquiries remain ongoing.”
Ness says, they have also spoken to neighbouring properties in the hope someone may have seen something suspicious, but so far without success.
The theft happened not long after Stoke School’s playground swing bridge was stolen on 7 May. The school was also hit again by thieves in late June and again on Monday morning when pipes were stolen, leaving six toilets out of action.
Police have not yet confirmed any link between the incidents.
