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'Could not be happier': early learning centre opens bespoke space in new build

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A new early learning centre has opened at a rapidly developing suburb, becoming the fourth centre of its kind on the Coast for its operator.

Family-owned South-East Queensland early learning centre operator Smartland Boutique Early Learning has opened the facility at the new HQ building on Courage Street at Sippy Downs.

Smartland founder and director Jay Luckie said the business has seen incredible growth since opening its first centre at Blanck Street, Maroochydore, in May 2017.

“It’s been an incredible journey over the past seven years,” he said.

“When we first commenced at Maroochydore, our facility was a tired and rundown centre so we gave it a complete renovation and filled it with brand new resources and our own unique childcare offer, which was met with a positive response from children and their parents.

“We replicated this successful recipe on two occasions at Minyama and Mountain Creek, which were both old and tired centres, and we are now proud to open our fourth centre in a brand new location at Sippy Downs.

“This is the first time we have designed and built a centre from scratch on the Sunshine Coast. We’ve combined all the experience we have gained on what makes an amazing early learning centre at our previous sites and incorporated this into our brand new 1733sqm bespoke space within the HQ building, which has been built by local developer Devcon.

Smartland Early Learning Sippy Downs campus manager Natasha Sullivan with children at the new facility.

“We began the design and planning on Sippy Downs with the Devcon team in March 2021 so it has been a few years in the works to open the doors but we could not be happier with the end result.”

The Smartland Sippy Downs centre will create about 40 full- and part-time positions and will cater for up to 120 children at capacity.

“Our Sippy Downs centre will also offer many of our favourite activities and excursions, such as Beach Kinder and Bush Kinder,” Mr Luckie said.

“The Sippy Down Nature Park recently opened at the rear of our entrance, it is such an amazing asset and we are thrilled to be able to take the children across to enjoy this incredible community project.

“We also have our in-house chef who caters to the wide variety of culinary needs of our children.”

Smartland also operates early learning centres at Ripley in Brisbane as well as Port Macquarie and Sovereign Hills in New South Wales.

Smartland Boutique Early Learning Sippy Downs is at 9 Courage Street. A family day will be held on Saturday from 9am-noon with a free sausage sizzle, Wildlife HQ native animal petting zoo, face painting and a Welcome to Country from Kabi Kabi leader Robbie Peters. Local councillor Christian Dickson will attend with his family.

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