Centre undergoes big growth spurt

Dargaville Family Link Child-Care Centre is proposing to increase the number of children it can accommodate at its facility from the current 33 to 50.
The centre provides all-day educational care for children from birth to six years, 50 weeks of the year. Most of these children are booked on a permanent basis with casuals being accepted on a daily basis when a vacancy is available.
"With 29 children on the waiting list to attend it is evident there is a need for the facility to expand," said Julie Findlay, supervisor manager for the centre.
"The number of under-five children has grown in the last two years. There seems to be a growth in younger families moving into the area. Housing is more affordable in the Kaipara area and this is tending to attract families here who have already obtained employment."
Plans have already been drawn for the proposed $450,000 revamp that will involve removing several of the internal walls, building a new kitchen, staffroom, office and entrance with disabled access and an upgrade of the toilet area. A new under- two play area, a separate sleeping and changing room is also planned.
Before application to the Ministry of Education could be made the centre was required to fund $40,000 themselves. This amount has now been achieved with $13,000 coming directly from the community.
The centre opened 14 years ago and now has a staff of six qualified early childhood teachers with a further staff member in training. Development of the centre has been ongoing with several new play areas added over the years.
With the required self-funding now raised the centre will apply for the necessary resource consent and ministry funding once the consent application is approved.
Mrs Findlay urges parents to support the consent application - submissions close on July 25.
Provided consent is granted and received in time the centre intends to lodge an application for the next MOE funding round which closes on October 17.