Staff have begun unpacking at the recently completed Murray Children’s Centre at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Albury-Wodonga Campus.

 

The $3.5 building, located on Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona, will welcome almost three times the number of children at the previous building located on Olive Street in the Albury city centre.

 

“The Murray Children’s Centre has been moved to the Thurgoona location to benefit staff and students of the campus as well as the general community and, with 72 places available and competitive fees, we hope to take the strain off families looking for affordable, high quality long day care,” says Dr Sydnye Allen, Murray Children’s Centre director.

 

The Murray Children’s Centre shares its facility with Aspire Support Services (formerly Woodstock) and provides early intervention services for children birth to five years.

 

More than 100 boxes filled with educational toys, paints, math and literacy books, puzzles, gross motor equipment and building blocks will be unpacked in preparation for the scheduled opening on Monday 30 January.

 

 “We are fortunate that we have employed highly trained staff, several of whom studied at Charles Sturt University,” said Dr Allen. “With the available places almost tripling, staff are very excited about the new facilities and can’t wait to introduce the children to this new environment.”

 

The new Centre has been built with sustainability in mind, featuring lighting that adjusts to the daylight, temperature controlled under floor heating, high ceilings for air flow, views of the natural landscape, and ergonomic kitchen, play and bathroom facilities.

 

“There will be an official opening later in the year and the University and Wiradjuri elders are working to name the Centre. For now, though, we’re just concentrating on getting ready for the first little people who walk through our door in a couple of weeks.”

 

The 72-place long day care centre will be open to the public as well as staff and students of CSU. Enrolments for 2012 are currently being taken for children aged birth up to five years.