Door opens for littlies

Daycare centre joins Gordonvale revival

THE flow of businesses back to one of Cairns’ southernmost suburbs continues with a new daycare centre set to serve families in the region.

Just Kids Early Education House will welcome its first charges to the Gordonvale centre within weeks.

Owner Hayley Williams, who also runs the Draper St franchise with husband Heath, said Gordonvale was crying out for more daycare services.

“We have been wanting to have another service and we have been looking high and low,” she said.

“Gordonvale is a thriving community and we saw an opportunity we could take up.

“It is all part of celebrating the growth of Gordonvale, we are really excited to be part of the Gordonvale story.”

The 75-place centre on the corner of Cairns Rd and George St will take babies, a first for the local business.

It will also cater for an in- creased number of children, compared to the 64-place Drape St facility which Ms Williams said was 95 per cent full.

The Williams bought the Draper St daycare centre in 2010.

“It’s about giving parents choice,” Ms Williams said.

“We believe it’s a product they’re looking for.

“The big thing everyone has to keep in mind is that education starts from birth, it doesn’t start when children go to school.

“About 80 per cent of a child’s brain is developed by age three and by the time they go to school all that wiring is already in place.”

Just Kids Early Education House has received an “exceeding” rating in all seven areas of the National Quality Standards and Ms Williams said educational programs were based on neuroscience findings on the developing brain. Challenging play is encouraged and staff are trained to view failure as a way to learn.

The Williams also own Edge Hill swim school C-Me Swim. There are still places at the Gordonvale centre.