Li’l Achievers is on track to complete its expansion and will also welcome a new director in the coming months.
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Owners of the long day care centre, Brooke and Richard Patriquin, said they hoped the doors of the new building would be ready to open in early October.
Mrs Patriquin said the opening date would be dependent on successfully obtaining licensing from the Department of Education and Training (DET), which will inspect the new building when it is complete.
The expansion will see the centre more than triple in size, with the ability to offer 80 places a day instead of the 24 places it currently offers.
Mrs Patriquin said the centre had a long waiting list and parents were struggling to get the care they needed.
“We definitely feel that what we’re providing will meet the demand in Gunnedah for childcare,” Mrs Patriquin said.
“If we provide that care, than all siblings can be under one roof.
“It would be so much more convenient for families.”
Mrs Patriquin said the new building would be treated as an extension of the existing building with a covered walkway to connect the two. The reception area and kitchen will be housed in the new building instead.
Once the extension is in play, there will be four classrooms on site – the nursery for ages 0-2, the toddler room for ages 2-3, junior pre-school for ages 3-4, and pre-school for ages 4-5.
A new playground will take shape at the front of the new building, with plans for a bike track and vegetable garden.
Mrs Patriquin said she wanted the expanded centre to feel “homely” and “approachable for families”.
“We’re just so excited. We can’t wait. We’re blessed that we can do this,” she said.
Among those looking forward to the completion of the project is new employee, Linda Gallagher, who was a familiar face at Gunnedah Baptist Community Preschool for seven years.
Ms Gallagher will take up the role of director at Li’l Achievers from October 3. In the meantime, she is undergoing nine weeks of prac at Winanga-li and Good Start to finish off a Bachelor of Education.
The local woman said she was drawn in by the Patriquin's vision to provide care for children for the entirety of their early childhood.
“Basically, we’ll be able to have a six-year relationship with every child,” Ms Gallagher said.
Ms Gallagher said she was surprised the Patriquins “had the confidence in me to steer the ship” but looked forward to working as part of the team.
In April, Gunnedah mayor Jamie Chaffey said the town was growing and the expansion of Li’l Achievers would help support the growth.
