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Child Care Centre celebrates 40 years
The much loved Whyalla Child Care Centre is celebrating 40 years of operation this month.
The centre was opened on May 13, 1977 by the Minister for Social Security Senator Margaret Guilfoyle, and since this time has been a fun and comforting place for local families.
To celebrate the occasion, Whyalla Child Care Centre is hosting an open day, and is inviting all past and present staff members and families that have utilized the facility to visit the centre to see what has changed.
Whyalla Child Care Centre’s open day will be held from 10am until 1pm, and visitors can enjoy homemade scones, tea and coffee and cake.
Whyalla Child Care Centre is a 68 place community based centre, licenced to take children from six weeks to eight years of age.
The facility has been operated by Whyalla City Council since it was opened, and has undergone numerous changes throughout the years, with extensions to the old nursery, toddler room and ‘big kids’ yard, as well as the addition of an outdoor alfresco eating area.
Whyalla Child Care Centre director Migelle Hiscock said over its 40 years of operation the centre had undergone many changes.
“Over the years we have seen many changes at the centre, from staffing, the introduction of new programs and services, to facility upgrades,” Mrs Hiscock said.
“The centre has seen generations of families from Whyalla utilise our facility, with some staff now looking after the children of children they cared for many years ago.
“We have been lucky enough to have community members come in and provide experiences for the children, with Kay Golding coming in and playing the piano for the past 20 years, and Chris from the library coming in and reading stories and singing songs with the children.
“We are the only long day care facility rated as exceeding the national quality standards in Whyalla.
“The council is proud of its child care facility and its ability to offer a specialised service to each child, according to their individual needs.
“We have seen lots of changes over the years and we are proud of being able to provide such high quality care for the Whyalla community, and we look forward to continuing that care into the future.”
Whyalla mayor Lyn Breuer said Whyalla Child Care Centre offered a special service to the community that many families held dear to them down the track.
“Both of my children attended Whyalla Child Care Centre, and thoroughly enjoyed their time there,” Ms Breuer said.
“It is a very special facility that provides children and their families with wonderful memories and plays a big part in nurturing the development of young children.”
To celebrate the occasion, Whyalla Child Care Centre is hosting an open day, and is inviting all past and present staff members and families that have utilized the facility to visit the centre to see what has changed.
Whyalla Child Care Centre’s open day will be held from 10am until 1pm, and visitors can enjoy homemade scones, tea and coffee and cake.
The cutting of the cake in honour of the special occasion will take place at about 12pm.