Application to increase numbers at child care centre
An application to make alterations and additions to a Umina childcare centre, which would increase child numbers from 88 to 122, has been placed on exhibition by Central Coast Council.
No submissions had been received by Friday, January 22, with a closing date of February 1.
A statement prepared in support of the application for Explore and Develop Umina by Doug Sneddon Planning said the existing childcare centre was located in a three-storey mixed-use building at 204 West St, Umina.
"The proposed development involves alterations and additions to the second floor of the existing building to facilitate conversion from existing residential apartments to additional childcare centre space," the statement said.
The value of proposed works is $255,000.
"The proposal will replace four two-bed existing second floor residential apartments with an expanded child care centre, increasing child numbers from 88 to 122 and staff levels present at any one particular time from 12 to 15.
"Explore and Develop - Umina currently provides early childhood education and care to 176 families on the Woy Woy Peninsula, offering a total of 440 childcare places per week.
"There are over 220 families on its waitlist for childcare places.
"Proposed building alterations include: Ground floor revised allocation of car spaces, new main entry and reception, new structure to support exit stair from Level 2 to Level 1; First floor accommodate exit stair from Level 2; Second Floor provide exit stair to Level 1, provide new expanded child care centre (indoor space -130 square metres and outside area play space - 280 square metres); and new glazed screening to south elevation.
"There are no proposed changes to the currently approved opening hours since the child care centre commenced operation in 2017: Monday to Friday 7am to 6pm."
The increase to children numbers would enable provision of care to 12 zero to one year olds and 20 one to two year olds at the centre for the first time.
The proposal does not meet the minimum requirements for car parking.
SOURCE:
DA Tracker, 22 Jan 2021
DA60238/2020, Central Coast Council