Work commences on new inner west childcare centre
Tuesday 14 March, 2017
Inner West Council has commenced construction of a new childcare centre.
The childcare centre, in Steel Park South Marrickville, was designed by Chippendale-based DJRD Architects and will be built by A J Bristow and Sons Pty Ltd, who have completed many Sydney and local government projects.
The building incorporates multiple environmentally-sound features, including timber frames and solar water heating. Quality LED lighting, natural ventilation, and high efficiency air conditioning, and a small solar photovoltaic (PV) array will generate electric power - all of which mean meeting an energy benchmark 25% below most other childcare centres.
As well, the centre will have a unique appearance. A series of timber columns supporting the cantilevered roof, is inspired by the original forest of the area near the Cooks River.
"Council has been in the planning stage of this early learning service for several years," said Administrator of Inner West Council Richard Pearson.
"We consulted broadly - with the local Aboriginal community and families, educators working in existing child care centres, nearby agencies and relevant community services. I'm told even very young children had a say. They were encouraged to draw their great ideas.
"We wanted to know what type of centre the community wanted - inside and out. What it should look like, and the range of services that might be provided," Mr Pearson said.
The single biggest gap identified across all consultations was for a long day care service providing education and care for children aged six weeks up to six years.
A lack of local spaces for affordable, quality child care, especially catering to the needs of families with infants up to two years was identified as a priority.
Former Mayor of Marrickville Sam Iskandar said he was pleased that the commitment to quality childcare services was being honoured by the new Inner West Council.
“There are too many families on Council’s childcare waiting list, and our research shows that demand is only getting higher. Inner West Council is taking a strategic approach to dealing with the current baby boom and planning for our future,” former Councillor Iskandar said.
“Meeting the needs of our residents for childcare remains a key priority for the new Council as it was for the former Leichhardt, Ashfield and Marrickville Councils,” he said.
The centre will provide for up to 50 children a day, Mondays to Fridays from 7:30am - 6pm, 48 weeks a year. The new childcare centre is expected to be completed in early 2018.