Vaucluse Early Learning plans for Village High Road centre revealed
In the east you’ve got to put your name down for childcare before you even think about getting pregnant. See the plans for a new 86 place centre.
Wentworth Courier
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Vaucluse could be set for a new childcare centre with a report commissioned by the aspiring developer stating there is an undersupply and many of the existing centres are “below average”.
Childcare waiting lists in the eastern suburbs are many years long at sought after centres with many people putting their name down before they even conceive.
The proposed two storey $2.84 million Village High Road centre, to be known as Vaucluse Early Learning, would offer 86 places and employ 14 staff members.
A Childcare Needs Assessment report submitted to Woollahra council to support the proposed development says of the six existing local centres almost half are “below average” as they are still working towards achieving the National Quality Standard.
Furthermore, 90 per cent of available spots are occupied meaning some parents would struggle to organise care on the days they need it.
The site, which backs onto Vaucluse Public School, is currently home to a two storey brick house which would be demolished.
Features of the proposal include a rooftop play area and a specially designed fence which would allow the young charges to safely peer and wave at their older friends at the school next door.
Greens councillor Megan McEwin has been pushing for council to operate an affordable centre for years.
“While childcare in any area is welcome, the areas that really need it are Paddington and Woollahra where four affordable childcare centres have closed,” Cr McEwin said.
“I am still keen to get council run child care up and running. Private childcare is often unaffordable for parents who do not have high paying jobs so this prevents primary carers (mostly women) returning to work.”
The proposed development stands at 10.1m tall which exceeds the 9.5m height limit under the Development Control Plan.
However, the developer argues the non compliance is “minor” as it only applies to the lift overrun and a transparent acoustic privacy screen which was necessary to protect the centre’s only residential neighbour.
The centre will also need to exceed the area’s 1.5m fence height limit by 30cm to prevent the children escaping.
There will be space for 16 babies under two, 30 two to three – year-olds and 40 preschoolers and opening hours are 7am to 7pm.
This is not the only private operator attempting to get a childcare centre approved in the Woollahra area.
A developer is currently appealing a decision by the Local Planning Panel to refuse their application for a four storey $2.3 million 60 place centre on the site of an old doctor’s surgery on Manning St, Double Bay.
Mayor Susan Wynne said it would remain to be seen if the new centre would get the green light.
“Our staff will assess the DA based on our planning controls and childcare needs within the Woollahra municipality,” she said.