Te Puna Community Kindergarten teachers and students have had a disheartening start to the week following a burglary at their centre on Minden Road.

Te Puna Kindergarten teacher Kerry Neas with Matt Roger and Maia Wirihana at the Minden Road centre.

The break-in was uncovered when teachers arrived at the kindergarten on Monday, August 29 to find the side window had been forced open and musical and electrical equipment was missing.

'It appears the person who did it hooked the side window open with a crow-bar and came in through the office,” says teacher Kerry Neas. 'There may also have been alcohol involved as an empty bottle was found outside.”

Among the items stolen were projectors, computer screens, a stereo and iPod, and a teacher's camera containing photographs of children's events at the kindergarten.

'They have taken our projector that we use for storytelling with the children, our iPod and stereo we use for musical lessons. It is heartbreaking and I really do feel for the children, they are the ones getting ripped off.”

This is the second time in a year the community kindergarten has been broken into and Kerry says the centre will struggle to replace the items that were stolen.

'We were burgled before in December, in which a lot of outside equipment and toys were taken. Last time it took six months for the insurance to come through.”

As the centre only receives limited Government funding all of the stolen items were purchased with money raised through the kindergarten's fundraising efforts.

'We have to fundraise to pay for all of our running costs and resources. Because this is the second break-in our insurance premiums are also going to go right up.”

Concerned parent and kindergarten treasurer Theresa Cave says there needs to be more community awareness to help prevent this type of activity.

'It really is a complete nuisance and an invasion for the children and teachers. We just want everyone to keep an eye out and take notice of what is happening around the community. The kindergarten is on a main road, so if anyone in a car going past can keep a look out.”

Kerry says the kindergarten is growing all the time and everyone involved has worked hard to make it a vibrant and exciting place.

'We have worked hard to build community spirit and this is just a slap in the face.”

Police are currently investigating the break in and urge anyone with information to contact their local police station.