MEDIA RELEASE: 21 November 2019
Ngala receives $150,000 RED grant to construct and develop Shark Bay Early Years Multi-Age Complex
On 14 November 2019, Ngala received $150,000 funding from the West Australian State Government’s Regional Economic Development (RED) grants. Together with the previously received grant of $150,000 from Commonwealth Government’s Community Child Care Funding, the collective funding received will go towards improving childcare in the Shire of Shark Bay. The grants will contribute to the Ngala managed construction and development of a new multipurpose building to support the education and care for children aged 0 – 4 years and their families in Denham, Shark Bay.
“It is fantastic to support the Ngala Children’s Service childcare project in Denham, driving economic development by helping to ensure people living in regional communities can get back into the workforce,” said Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan said of the impact the grant will provide to the local community.
Ngala currently has approval to provide Family Day Care Services in Denham and operates the Denham Family Day Care (FDC), which is in an in-venue operation at Hughes St, Denham, for children aged under five years. Since May 2010, Ngala has been working in partnership with the Shire of Shark Bay and have recently worked with the Shire on local programs which support young children in the community.
“Ngala provides children, family and community services to regional and remote communities across the State. We recognise the importance of early childhood education and how it provides to the diverse needs of a child for their best very best outcome. By working collaboratively, we can enable children to flourish by ensuring parents, carers and families are well supported,” says Fiona Beermier, CEO, Ngala.
The funding will be used to commence the first stage of the new multipurpose day care building which will enable Ngala to provide an appropriate physical environment to cater primarily for children under five years old, together with school-aged children up to the educator ratio limits.
The Shire of Shark Bay will be supporting the build by providing the land on which the complex will sit on and support the construction.
Key features of the proposed complex include:
- A choice location adjacent to Shark Bay School (providing opportunities to share resources and supporting children transitioning to Primary School);
- Contemporary fit-out catered to caring for children aged 0 – 12 years;
- In addition to the internal environment spaces there is an external, shaded and enclosed (secure sun blinds) verandas, adjacent to the classrooms and open but fully fenced play outdoor areas;
- Discrete and offsite construction of each building reducing associated construction risk and eliminating any construction interferences between buildings;
- A high degree of open space (87% of the total site area) to accommodate flexible use of the complex, using nature play concepts.
The development and construction of the project will commence in early 2020 with the completion date expected in mid-2021.
For interviews, photography and information please contact:
Yvonne Tessensohn
Brand and Marketing Manager, Ngala
T: 08 9368 9306
M: 0451 518 564
Email: [email protected]
www.ngala.com.au
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Backgrounder
After almost 130 years of working with families, Ngala continues to use the latest internal and external research and training, alongside community stories and experiences to develop and deliver evidence informed services that meet the needs of today’s parents and for children aged from 0 to 18 years. Today Ngala operates early childhood education and care, parent education and youth services across the vast state of Western Australia. For more information about Ngala please visit www.ngala.com