A childcare group has applied to open six days per week at the site where another centre closed suddenly.
The application has been lodged with Sunshine Coast Council to allow the centre to operate from 8.30am to 4pm on Saturdays, to offer “greater flexibility” for working parents.
The minor change, submitted on behalf of G & B Ferguson Pty Ltd, is for a site at 1 Commercial Road, Kuluin.
The existing building was previously home to Grow Early Education, which suddenly shut down in April.
Sunshine Coast News attempted to contact the company at the time of the closure for comment.
The address is now linked to Meadow Lane Early Learning Maroochydore, according to a Facebook page under the same name.
With an existing centre at Buderim, the organisation confirmed via social media it was expanding to a Maroochydore location.
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“We’re thrilled to announce that Meadow Lane Early Learning is expanding and our brand-new Maroochydore centre is coming soon,” the statement said.
“Our new space will be bursting with creativity, connection and playful learning, the perfect place for curious minds to grow, explore and thrive.”
According to documentation, submitted by Pam Davidson from Simply Town Planning on behalf of the applicant, the change would address a demand for extended opening hours.
“The proposed change to operating hours is in response to demand from parents who work outside of a typical Monday-Friday work schedule and have childcare needs on a Saturday,” it stated.
“The owner of the centre has cited demand from parents for the centre to open on a Saturday, which aligns with the results from the federal government’s childcare flexibility trials, which concluded that there is a need for more flexible childcare to cater for working parents.”
The application stated there were no intentions for the centre to open on Sundays or public holidays, and no other uses would be introduced.
“The proposed change does not introduce new impacts or increase the severity of known impacts,” it said.
“The proposal remains a 100-place childcare centre.
“No additional noise or traffic will be generated beyond what occurs as part of the existing operations.
“Acoustic fencing and landscaping are in place to mitigate the existing impacts.”
Current permits allow a childcare centre to operate on the site from 6am to 7pm Monday to Friday.
A date for when Meadow Lane Early Learning Maroochydore would open is yet to be confirmed.
The application is currently under assessment.
