Kindy Gets Back in Touch with Nature

THE outdoor natural environment at the old Ithaca Tafe site at 29 Nathan Avenue Ashgrove is about to be transformed into an early childhood training facility unlike most in Australia.
Queensland early learning group, C&K Preschooling Professionals, are  hard at work transforming the site into the C&K’s Centre for Excellence.The training facility will be a key feature of the centre.
C&K boss Barrie Elvish (pictured bottom left) said the nature kindergarten approach they are using in Ashgrove was well 
established in Germany and Scandinavia and was a growing influence on early childhood education thinking in the United Kingdom and North America.
“The plans will incorporate the indigenous flora and fauna in a large space that encourages children to explore and climb, make their own special places, cook their own produce and possibly even have sleep-outs with their parents overnight.”

"There’s lots of evidence that being outdoors benefits children both in terms of physical health and their general wellbeing”

“The childcare centre will be part of a wider early childhood training facility at the C&K Centre for Excellence that will service the sector throughout Australia and internationally,” Mr Elvish said.
In addition to the Australian first early childhood training facility, the C&K Centre for Excellence will include the C&K College of Early Childhood, training facilities, research and innovation unit and administration.
Work began in May 2012 cleaning up the site, removing asbestos and diseased vegetation before beginning the substantial refurbishment of the existing buildings. Rejuvenating the grounds and gardens is a key priority.
The existing C&K head office located at 14 Edmondstone Street, Newmarket Brisbane since 1977 has been sold. The office spaces are no longer viable for an organisation that manages almost 400 early childhood services across Queensland.
C&K and the Hear and Say Centre signed an agreement to be co-owners of the site late last year. 
The C&K Centre for Excellence will span across five buildings on the site. 
C&K expects that the building project will be completed by March 2013.

BOYS DAY OUT ... Baby Zac and his dad Ian Anderson, of Ashgrove West Brisbane, check out the C&K Preschooling Professionals’ newly acquired Nathan Street premises where it plans to establish an early childhood training facility. The project is expected to be complete by early next year.

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