Developer plans premium childcare centre with sound and scent machines
A world-class childcare center described by the developer as “like a day spa for kids” – with built-in sound and smell machines to reduce overstimulation – is planned for a south-west suburb of Brisbane.
Plais Early Learning will be built at 23 Thallon Street in Sherwood, according to a development application filed with the city this month.
The street is a no-pass road, just off the busy Sherwood Road. The train line runs just behind the block and the level crossing is a two-minute walk away.
The center will have a parking lot for 15 vehicles. In the development application, an independent assessor appointed by the applicant said it would have a negligible impact on the surrounding road network.
Sherwood Community Kindergarten is located on the same street.
The 1,137sq m block was operating as an aged care leisure centre, but was closed on Monday morning and had “for rent” signs on the fence.
Operator Onefin operates two Plais centers in Camp Hill and has another center to open in Paddington.
“Anything you can think of that will make a parent’s life easier is what we offer,” said director Will Griffin.
“We do grocery shopping, we wrap gifts at Christmas, we have monthly date nights. We clean baby strollers. We do dentistry at school. We do vaccinations.”
“Our target is the inner-city suburbs…areas where there is a concentration of parents; lawyers, doctors, shift workers, police officers, nurses, that kind of thing.”
The Sherwood center will feature function rooms, an outdoor play area, sleeping areas, laundry facilities and a kitchen on two levels.
Construction costs are estimated at $6 to $7 million.
The facility will accommodate up to 73 children with 13 full-time equivalent staff (three more than ratios require). These will include a nurse, chef and doorman.
“This is not your typical child care center with bright colors,” Griffin said.
“It’s very restrained and thoughtful. It’s more like a day spa for kids. Very natural tones, natural materials.”
“There are integrated sound systems and integrated scent machines throughout to create an atmosphere that will help children calm down rather than overstimulate.”
Working hours will be from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Plans for the center have been submitted to Brisbane City Council.
The childcare industry across Australia has faced abuse allegations, excessive cost-cutting and systemic failures over the past two years.
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