PARENTS will have a new childcare centre available to them from late January.
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Situated in the new wing of Westpoint Shopping Centre is Balance Early Education, which will be able to take 105 children per day.
The facility has been slowly coming together in recent months as construction at the shopping complex gets closer to completion.
There are seven rooms, each one catering to a different age group, and multiple areas for collaborative play.
Owner Darlene Wadham said Balance is taking a very environmentally sustainable approach to childcare, with mindful decisions made regarding toys, furniture. food and regularly used products.
The outdoor play area utilises reclaimed timber, while the children’s furniture and shelving is Australian-made from Victorian Ash hardwood.
Balance will also use bamboo wipes and Thank You nappies, which are sourced from long-term sustainably managed forests and give back to charity.
Mrs Wadham said there will also be a vegetable garden, which will be integrated into the children's education.
"We'll have a fully qualified chef who will be preparing our meals and holding cooking classes with the children. The children will be involved right from planting through to harvesting and then eating," she said.
While the facilities are an important part of the childcare centre, Mrs Wadham said it was really about the educators that will be working with the children every day.
Approximately 12 staff members will be there for the opening, but the numbers are likely to exceed 30 once enrolments grow.
Balance has already garnered a lot of interest from families.
“We’ve had over 130 families register interest … but there are still vacancies for all age groups,” Mrs Wadham said.
The childcare centre is set to open on January 21.
Anyone who is interested in sending their children there is encouraged to visit www.balancechildcare.com.au or send an email to bathurst@balancechildcare.com.au.
“We’re excited about welcoming families and watching [the centre] come to life with little people,” Mrs Wadham said.
