Council opens new childcare centre
Tuesday 20 October 2020
Inner West Council has opened a new childcare centre. The first phase of Yirran Gumal Early Learning Centre will start with a limited intake of 20 children per day from late October.
Over the next 12 months, enrolments will increase until the centre reaches its approved capacity of 60 children per day.
COVID 19 safety measures will be in place.
The childcare centre, in Steel Park Marrickville South, was designed by Chippendale-based DJRD Architects and will was built by A J Bristow and Sons.
The building incorporates multiple environmentally-sound features, including timber frames and solar water heating. Quality LED lighting, natural ventilation, and high efficiency air conditioning, and a small solar photovoltaic (PV) array will generate electric power - all of which mean meeting an energy benchmark 25% below most other childcare centres.
As well, the centre has a unique appearance. A series of timber columns supporting the cantilevered roof, is inspired by the original forest of the area near the Cooks River.
Council consulted broadly with the local Aboriginal community and families, educators working in existing childcare centres, nearby agencies and relevant community services.
"Yirran" means many and "Gumal" means ‘forms of friendships’.
“The single biggest gap identified across all consultations was for a long day care service providing education and care for children aged six weeks up to six years,” said Marrickville Ward Councillor Sam Iskandar.
“This new centre will go some way to addressing the lack of local spaces for Council’s affordable, quality childcare, which are much in demand, especially for families with infants up to two years,” he said.
Families are invited to waitlist for Yirran Gumal now.
For media enquiries, contact Elizabeth Heath, Media and Communications Coordinator on 9392 5334 or Elizabeth.Heath@innerwest.nsw.gov.au