Childcare is an important service widely needed by families. The founding aim of our Society was to provide such service to the community. When there is a will, there is a way! The fete held on 7 December 1985 at Campsie Child Care Centre was a huge success. It managed to raise enough funds for the 10% deposit and legal fees for the purchase of the No 48 property.
There was another exciting news at the same time: The then Treasurer, Dr Leng Tan, managed to find a bank who was willing to provide a loan. However, using the excuse that our Society ‘lacked experience in child care business” and ‘unstable business’ the bank raised the interest rate to 21%, which was 4% above the market rate!
The enrolment at the Centre improved strongly and became stable. The purchase of the property was also complete. The Board of Directors of our Society could finally settle down and focus on the development of the child Care Centre.
When the kindergarten was handed over by the private owner, the facilities were worn out and did not meet regulatory requirements. After receiving government funding in late 1985, the Board used half a year to renovate the Centre while it was still in operation. The ceilings of the classrooms were thickened; the normal glass window panels in the rooms were replaced by safety glass; new children’s toilets were installed; the administration office was refurbished; new floorings were installed; worn out car tyres in the children’s playground were cleared and the sandpit was fixed.
Many volunteers came to help after work. They helped to move the furniture around and took up the painting work. Their involvement helped to lower the cost of the renovation.
Realizing the high demand for child care services, the Society considered expanding its services to include care for children from birth to 2 years. In mid-1986, the Centre received government funding to build an additional room to provide care for children under 2.
To implement multiculturalism, the Centre added Chinese and Korean in its teaching activities. They celebrated cultural festivals and taught children traditional craft such as lantern making and dragon dance during cultural celebrations. Excursions were also organized for children to visit community facilities such as fire stations.
There was also a high demand for Before and After School care. Around 40 school aged children from the two nearby schools, Campsie Public School and Harcourt Public School, used the service. Schools at that time seldom provided the service. As the Centre did not have the financial resources to purchase a bus, the children and their educators had to walk together to and from school, rain or shine. It was certainly trying for all, but the service was in high demand.
In the early morning when most of the Centre’s children had not come, the students and the young children could share the playground. However, in the afternoon, when both the afterschool care children and child care children were around, they could not share the playground. Activities for the afterschool care children were held in two rooms upstairs.
With the joint effort of the Directors and volunteers, renovations were carried out at a minimum cost. They gradually transformed the worn-out facility into a child Care Centre trusted by families in the community.
🤔There was finally a glimmer of hope for our Society! What would be the next development? Stay tuned for the next article!