New two-storey childcare centre proposed for residential street in Narellan

Southwestern Sydney residents could soon have access to a new childcare centre, pending a successful development application. Read about the plans.

A new childcare centre, capable of caring for more than 100 children at any given time, could be built in Narellan under a $4 million development application lodged with Camden Council.

The purpose-built child care facility will operate with a maximum capacity of 120 places at 7 to 9 Hume St, Narellan. There will be 20 places for children aged zero to two, 50 spots for those aged two to three years and another 50 for children aged three to five years.

The development provides a total of 30 car parking spaces within a basement level with 17 spots for staff, 13 for visitors and one accessible parking space.

“The design responds to the context of the new estate by proposing an attractive two-storey built form that aims to be compatible with future low to medium density residential character within the subject area,” the report said.

“The proposed built form has been designed commensurate with the low density residential character of the site and in consideration of adjoining developments noting the locality is diverse in terms of character given the varied zoning of the locality.

“The proposed learning spaces provide a good mix of inclusive learning space for all students.”

Artist impression of a development application for a construction of a 120 place, two storey centre-based child care facility at 7-9 Hume St, Narellan.

“Where possible play equipment will be located away from common boundaries, noting that the ground and first floor play areas are orientated towards the public reserve to minimise impacts on neighbouring properties.”

The proposal has identified that 20 teachers will be needed to cater to the number of children, a figure that excludes any administration staff needed.

In one of the documents submitted to council, the probable cost of the construction of the project has been estimated as just over $4 million.

Currently two older style single storey residential dwellings are located on the subject site that could be transformed into the two-storey facility.

Aerial map of the landscape around 7 to 9 Hume St, Narellan with the blue covering the proposed site for the centre.

“The child care indoor and outdoor areas for the two to three and three to five age group are located on the ground floor with the indoor and outdoor areas for the zero to two age group and administrative areas including staffroom, kitchen, and services to be located on the first floor,” the report submitted to council said.

Earlier this year, a report from Victoria University affiliated Mitchell Institute revealed that some three million people in NSW are living in what it qualifies as “childcare deserts”, which are places where there are more than three kids for every childcare place available.

The geographical divide is stark, with suburbs in the inner city having a range of childcare options, while parents in the southwest and western suburbs, along with regional NSW, have to compete for very few places.

The development application is currently on public exhibition.

In Campbelltown, the data reveals there are at least three children in the suburb for every one childcare place. While in Camden and Wollondilly, there are at least two.

It also showed that more than 58 per cent of Campbelltown, is considered a “childcare desert”. The same term is applied to 35.28 per cent of Wollondilly and 16.7 per cent of Camden.

The development proposal is on public exhibition until June 27, for more details, click here.