Childcare centre planned for Ridgehaven to offer space for more than 90 kids

A childcare centre resembling nothing else around it has been proposed for Adelaide’s northeast, but that’s not even the best part.

Artist impression of a new childcare centre proposed for Ridgehaven, in Adelaide's northeastern suburbs. Picture: Nic Design Studios

A futuristic-looking childcare centre offering to teach multiple languages to more than 90 kids would be built at Ridgehaven under a new proposal by a former Adelaide Botanic High teacher.

The plans show the privately-operated centre would cater for up to 94 children aged zero to five years old.

It would be owned and run by teacher Ruifang Huang, who said the centre would focus on multiculturalism and offer different languages the children could choose to learn.

“My motivation from the start was a multiculturalism mindset – we need to educate children when they are young on different cultures and inclusivity, it’s critical in our current state,” she said.

Artist impression of a new childcare centre proposed for Ridgehaven, in Adelaide's northeastern suburbs. Picture: Nic Design Studios

Ms Huang, who will leave teaching for the business, said the designers intended the building to stand out and spent time crafting something bold.

The centre at 27-29 Dewer Ave across a 2200 sqm site would operate from 6.30am to 6.30pm weekdays.

An expansive landscaping plan shows the kids can enjoy a water pump and stream, sand pit, raised veggie gardens, cubby, central lawn and balancing logs and stepping stones. There are multiple indoor areas for different ages.

Four significant trees would be felled, mainly gums, over safety risks to children and to lessen insurance costs.

Two of the trees could be kept if the plans are altered, documents say, but retaining them pose “significant challenges” in terms of safety, maintenance and insurance costs while risks include dropping limbs and toxic berries.

The existing homes on the site would be demolished under the plans but that would not require development consent.

More than 30 new trees and plants more suitable to a childcare centre would be included in the landscaping plans to replace the trees.

The plans have been submitted to Tea Tree Gully Council on behalf of proponent Peppy Village by Future Urban, who said the facility had been “carefully crafted” by Nic Design Studio.

Artist impression of a new childcare centre proposed for Ridgehaven, in Adelaide's northeastern suburbs. Picture: Nic Design Studios

“(It) delivers exactly what the Housing Diversity Neighbourhood Zone envisages – an essential community service that complements surrounding homes and businesses, whilst supporting a vibrant, walkable neighbourhood,” a spokesman said.

“It will provide local families with a safe, purpose-built childcare environment close to home, accommodating up to 94 children at any one time and generating meaningful employment opportunities within the Ridgehaven community.”

“The retention of existing trees is always the preferred outcome, however these trees pose legitimate safety risks for young children. Their removal will be offset by the planting of 33 new trees that have been chosen for their suitability to local conditions and to create a safe, sustainable and well-landscaped play environment.”

The plans are on public consultation until July 16.

Originally published as Childcare centre planned for Ridgehaven to offer space for more than 90 kids