Gunnedah parents are poised to snap up desperately needed new childcare positions under new expansion plans by Li’l Achievers Early Learning Centre.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Development approved by council in December, will increase the centre’s maximum number of childcare positions from 24 to 80.
The move has been applauded by local parents, many who are in urgent need of childcare placements.
Gunnedah mum Kate has three kids enrolled at the centre but on limited days. She said the planned expansion would “make a huge difference” and free up more time for work and study.
Kate said there is immense pressure already on the local childcare system and one glance a social media forums showed it is strengthening by the day.
“The amount of people moving to Gunnedah, looking for [childcare] spots, is huge,” she said.
The Li’l Achievers development will consolidate an adjacent property, demolishing the existing house and merge two lots into one. Construction will include a new storage shed and more customer parking.
New mum Stacey joined the growing Gunnedah wait list for her newly arrived baby son.
She said any increase in places was welcome but hoped centres did not lose sight of the end goal.
“You want them to grow but not so big that kids are overlooked,” Stacey said.
Gunnedah mayor Jamie Chaffey said in a statement by council late last year the expansion will cater to the town’s growing requirements.
“There is an identified need for increased childcare facilities in Gunnedah and this kind of development will help attract and retain young working families and improve the skill capacity of the local workforce,” Cr Chaffey said.
See image below for a look at the centre’s design plans.
