A former outpatient building at the South Sydney Hospital site has been transformed into a state-of-the-art early learning centre, operated by Goodstart Early Learning and owned by the City of Sydney.
The centre, Waranara Early Education Centre, is the fourth partnership between Goodstart and the City of Sydney, and is part of the city’s Green Square community and Cultural Precinct.
Launching officially tomorrow (May 26), the Green Square development also includes a community shed, playground and community garden.
The Waranara Early Education Centre is due to open in coming months but will be showcased tomorrow with a visit from entertainer Justine Clark, an art installation and craft time for children.
The centre features a new concrete and timber building with high ceilings and skylights connecting to the original heritage building, providing more play spaces.
A wraparound veranda links all learning spaces to the sunny, protected yard and large shade trees outside, while an inventive nature play area offers raised vegie gardens, fruit tree groves and timber balance challenges.
Children will be able to get their hands dirty in the outdoor kitchen and digging patch, which extends into a water and sand play area. Lead educators for each learning space are Bachelor qualified teachers.
Goodstart Early Learning CEO Julia Davison said as a not-for-profit organisation, children were at the centre of everything the team at Goodstart did.
“Our teachers and educators throughout Australia work very hard every day to ensure that children attending our centres get a great start in life,” Ms Davison said.
“This new centre will help us continue our work in this area, offering priority access to children with additional support needs and those children from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.”
The centre joins the East Sydney Early Learning Centre in Darlinghurst, Huntley Street in Alexandria and The Crescent in Annandale, and will provide 74 places for children. Fees will start at $93 per day for children aged three to five years, with babies costing $100 per day.
Waranara is a Gadigal word meaning “to seek”. The name recognises Sydney’s traditional custodians and highlights the centres’ focus on learning and play.
The centre, Waranara Early Education Centre, is the fourth partnership between Goodstart and the City of Sydney, and is part of the city’s Green Square community and Cultural Precinct.
Launching officially tomorrow (May 26), the Green Square development also includes a community shed, playground and community garden.
The Waranara Early Education Centre is due to open in coming months but will be showcased tomorrow with a visit from entertainer Justine Clark, an art installation and craft time for children.
The centre features a new concrete and timber building with high ceilings and skylights connecting to the original heritage building, providing more play spaces.
A wraparound veranda links all learning spaces to the sunny, protected yard and large shade trees outside, while an inventive nature play area offers raised vegie gardens, fruit tree groves and timber balance challenges.
Children will be able to get their hands dirty in the outdoor kitchen and digging patch, which extends into a water and sand play area. Lead educators for each learning space are Bachelor qualified teachers.
Goodstart Early Learning CEO Julia Davison said as a not-for-profit organisation, children were at the centre of everything the team at Goodstart did.
“Our teachers and educators throughout Australia work very hard every day to ensure that children attending our centres get a great start in life,” Ms Davison said.
“This new centre will help us continue our work in this area, offering priority access to children with additional support needs and those children from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.”
The centre joins the East Sydney Early Learning Centre in Darlinghurst, Huntley Street in Alexandria and The Crescent in Annandale, and will provide 74 places for children. Fees will start at $93 per day for children aged three to five years, with babies costing $100 per day.
Waranara is a Gadigal word meaning “to seek”. The name recognises Sydney’s traditional custodians and highlights the centres’ focus on learning and play.