Tamworth council has given the green light to plans to convert part of the old St Nicholas Primary School into Tamworth's newest childcare centre.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The new centre will be converted into a twin for the Ekidna Tamworth School of Early Learning by next year, spokesperson Lisa Rochfort said.
She said Oxley Vale is a "perfect location" for the centre because it is close to a number of schools, in a rapidly-growing suburb with a lot of new parents.
READ MORE:
The new childcare centre will cater to both rich and poor children, and will help level the playing field, she said.
"They can have non-English speaking parents and by the time they come out of our childcare they will have a very good grasp," she said.
"They'll know how to count, they'll know how to read, they'll know how to assimilate with each other. They will understand cultural tolerances. We're trying to give the early seeds of thought to those children to live in a better place."
Tamworth Regional Council approved construction of the 85-child centre on Tuesday.
Construction is expected to cost about $1,058,238, according to the DA.
Ms Rochford said the company will start construction after Christmas, with the centre to open some time in 2023.
Registrations will open in February and March, given the city's six to 12 month waiting list for childcare spaces, she said.
The firm is also opening a new Gunnedah childcare centre next year.
They currently operate the Ekidna Tamworth School of Early Learning and a centre in Sydney.
The centre, which doesn't yet have a name, will employ between 20 and 25 staff.
Ms Rochfort said it will be a "boutique" learning institution, featuring its own chef.
"The Most important thing is the Key Director. We really do look for high quality educators," she said.
"We'd be looking to hire or recruit a director who will be the person in charge of the centre. We do remunerate very well. We are in a position where we can pick and choose who we hire."
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark northerndailyleader.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News