Overnight care proposed in new childcare centre at Rockhampton QLD

Plans have been proposed for a 90-place childcare centre to provide day and overnight care. It would be the first of its kind in the region.

Renders by Dezign Elements for the proposed childcare centre on Denham Street, Allenstown.

A developer has revealed plans to build a childcare centre that will offer not just daytime care, but also overnight care, aimed at parents and guardians working nights and shift work.

Pending the response from this first venture in Rockhampton, there may be more pop up across the state.

Childcare centre developer and owner Tony Ramsey has lodged plans for the redevelopment of 149 Denham Street, Allenstown, the site of Imbina Medical Centre before it moved to Bolsover Street in February earlier this year.

There are very few childcare centres offering overnight care in Queensland, and even Australia, with most families forced to opt for nannies or in-home family day care.

“It’s not very common practice (to have overnight care at centres) … I actually do shift work myself,” Mr Ramsey said.

“Doctors, nurses, police, after hours people, single mums that work, we can certainly supply it.

“As a changing society, there might be a really big calling for it.”

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics from August 2021, 14.8 per cent of Australians worked shift work and 22.5 per cent were on call and standby.

“We really want interest from parents to know if there is a need there, we are very keen,” Mr Ramsey said.

The centre would have sleeping facilities downstairs.

“It’s just that little bit different, feeding them dinner, getting them into bed and checking them throughout the night,” Mr Ramsey said.

Plans for a 90-place childcare centre at 149 Denham Street, Rockhampton. Renders: Dezign Elements.

The planning report, submitted to Rockhampton Regional Council by Gideon Town Planning with renders by Dezign Elements, stated the centre would provide care for 90 children from zero to 12 years, and the night care would operate at a reduced capacity.

All outdoor activities would be restricted past 10pm and there would be reduced capacity of 48 children overnight.

“Parents could take the children down for six or so hours and get some work done at home, or (do) a real night shift themselves from 10pm to 6am,” Mr Ramsey said.

The former doctor’s surgery at 149 Denham Street in South Rockhampton would be redeveloped into a childcare centre, pending council approval. Renders: Dezign Elements.

The planning report states the existing building would be renovated to establish the new childcare centre, keeping the main character front facade.

The Queenslander home, which was built in 1902, had been renovated to suit the doctor’s surgery and sold in August for $907,500.

The floorplan for the childcare centre includes a reception and sign-in area, office and kitchen area, a junior room with a maximum of 20 children, a babies room with a maximum of 12 babies, and a toddlers room with a maximum of 16 children.

An internal staircase would lead up to senior rooms’ one and two, which would have a maximum of 22 children each, along with staff, storage, office and laundry areas.

The centre would also offer meals.

There would be two outdoor areas, one for babies and toddlers and another for junior and senior children, and include undercover and grass areas.

There would be about five full-time staff members and another four to five casuals.

A 12-seater minibus would also operate for pick-up and drop-off service.

Gideon Town Planning’s report states the proposal is consistent with the overall outcomes of the low-medium density residential zone the property sits in and it would provide an “essential service” to the local community, while also keeping in character of the local area as the Queenslander will be retained.

149 Denham Street, Rockhampton, is being listed for sale through Ray White Rockhampton sales agent Mat O'Brien. Picture: Aden Stokes

The property is iconic for the towering giraffe and zebra statues in the front yard, which Mr Ramsey assured would remain.

“We will find a special home for them … maybe even coming onto the veranda so the children can stroke them,” Mr Ramsey said.

“We are pretty excited to find a home for them and for children to play with them.”

It’s not Mr Ramsey’s first childcare centre development, he also has sites in Mackay, Sarina, Walkerston and Townsville.

He is also looking at opening more centres with overnight services in Mackay, Toowoomba, Dalby, Townsville and Brisbane.

Originally published as Overnight care proposed in new childcare centre at Rockhampton QLD