New childcare centre set to include full-time general practitioners, nurses onsite

The directors of a Brisbane childcare centre set to open next week will have a GP onsite. And another novel service means parents dropping in every afternoon will be able to pick up more than their kids.

PARENTS are expecting more bang for their buck when it comes to childcare centres as educators move to provide a full service beyond just childminding.

Nundah-based Habitat Early Learning, opening on Monday will be the first to have a full-time general practitioner on-site to treat sick kids.

An in-house kitchen that will not just cook meals for the kids and staff but also provide a packaged service for busy parents.

With 40 children set to start next week, and the GP and nurse by March, General Manager Kerrin Thomas said the service was responding to demand within the community and the pressures of modern family life.

Joanne Sorley, the Consultant Psychologist with Dakota Devitt, 2, in the Montessori room doing block puzzles, at the new childcare centre is opening in Nundah, as parents demand more services from their centres. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“For those times a child might fall ill while at the centre parents can have that peace of mind knowing someone specialised in children’s health is able to look after the child and make a judgment about their wellbeing,” she said.

“We will have a concerted focus on early intervention and a co-ordinated approach from allied health professionals.”

Managing Director Murray Thornton said the focus was raising awareness of the importance of early education while providing convenience and choice for parents.

He said the full-service model was inspired by feedback from parents and staff.

“One of the big focus points for me personally was to build government awareness, that early intervention whether it’s local, state or federal governments – it’s something we need to focus on,” he said.

“That three to five age group is the critical age, there’s huge amounts of research that if you don’t pick it up early, then primary and secondary school becomes so much harder.”