While the long day care centre is still awaiting licensing from the Department of Education and Training to offer a full 80 places per day,  children already enrolled have been able to settle into their new classroom.

The new building stands alongside the original building and provides a bigger classroom space for the older children and a separate playground.

A number of locals turned out to take a peek at the changes including staff from Gunnedah Family Day Care, Mary Ranken, St Xavier’s Primary School, Gunnedah Public School, Gunnedah Council, Gunnedah and District Chamber of Commerce and the Commonwealth Bank.

Cr Chaffey praised owners Brooke and Richard Patriquin for “investing” in the Gunnedah community.

“This is fantastic,” he said.

“The commitment to community by Richard and Brooke can’t go unnoticed. This is a significant financial commitment to the community.”

New Chamber of Commerce president, Stacey Cooke, said the centre’s expansion could only mean good things for Gunnedah.

“I think they’re great innovators – to see a need in this community and make it work,” she said.

“We’re lucky to have people like that who will take the risk.”

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