Sallies open early childhood centre
A new early childhood centre is giving families a hand up, not a hand out.
The Salvation Army opened its early childhood centre in Mt Wellington on June 8.
Purchased from the Destiny Church in July 2014, the centre has had a $200,000 redevelopment to make the premises more child and family friendly.
Salvation Army major Allan Bateman says it’s all about getting involved with vulnerable people in the area.
‘‘It’s a significant investment. It’s for families that get turned off using the other centres because they can’t afford it.’’
The Salvation Army has had a presence in Auckland’s inner city for 132 years.
Their old premises on Queen St provided a central location but made reaching the suburbs difficult. Bateman says the new development in Mt Wellington is the result of a much larger move.
‘‘There was not the option on Queen St to do what we are doing here. Life’s moved on from when we first bought that facility,’’ the Mt Roskill resident says.
‘‘We had almost no presence through a ribbon of the city for quite some time.
‘‘It’s about putting a whole new service in so all people can access it.’’
Early childhood centres are often a first port of call for struggling families, Bateman says.
When fully operational the centre on Allright Place will provide a food bank, family store and gambling addiction services.
‘‘Those families who are in that vul- nerable state, there are often other things going on.
‘‘There are still some cogs to get turning but we’re well on our way,’’ Bateman says.
Salvation Army early childhood education centre manager Sharon Reddy says for now the centre aims to provide quality childcare.
‘‘It’s about fun, it’s about learning, it’s about values,’’ she says.
‘‘We want the community to know that it can be accessed. We really want to build up those relationships.’’