Opening in January next year, Aspire Preschool will occupy the building located at 45 Connor St, the former site of Little Wonders Oanaka ECE which closed with only a week’s notice in September last year.
Aspire Preschool director Julian Springer said he had been working behind the scenes with the landlord and current tenant Evolve Education Group since December to manage the transition. All parties were keen to see the space retain what had made it such an appealing option for local parents.
"The centre itself was really loved. You’ve got a great outdoor space, it’s set up really well."
A lawyer by trade and a father himself, Mr Springer said he and his wife had long talked with friend and teacher Anita Presbury about operating an early childhood education centre, and a combination of "luck, timing and opportunity" had resulted in the Springers founding Aspire Preschool.
Mrs Presbury, who has joined the team as head teacher and centre manager, said the feedback she had heard since the centre’s website went live earlier this month was "really positive".
"Obviously there’s such a need for this place, so to be a part of creating something that I will send my kids to and be proud to send my kids to is awesome."
Within two weeks, Mr Springer said more than 60 people had registered their interest using a portal on the website, ‘‘the majority of those’’ for children under the age of 3.
The centre has already received network approval for the centre from the Ministry of Education and would be applying for a final approval licence once the site had been rebranded and the interior prepped to host children once again.
Mr Springer said Little Wonders’ licence had permitted about 66 pupils on site and he expected Aspire Preschool’s licence to allow for a similar capacity.
The recruitment process was already well under way. The January opening date had been set to give them time to make sure the centre could open fully staffed.
Mr Springer said the centre would only be recruiting qualified teachers and intended to have a pupil to teacher ratio lower than the Ministry’s own requirements.
"We want to run low ratios so the teachers know the children, understand how they’re developing."
To avoid the recruitment issues that plagued Little Wonders, the centre has obtained accredited employer status, allowing them to hire teachers from abroad.
"We’re casting our net far and wide particularly in Ireland, UK, South Africa, sort of the Anglosphere, to be able to attract qualified teachers."
Mr Springer said he hoped Aspire Preschool’s approach would allow the centre to provide much needed stability for parents, teachers and pupils, while delivering a curriculum that would go beyond the basics of preparation for primary school.
"Yes, they’ll do loads of play. We’ll use play-based learning, all those things. But we believe there’s a body of knowledge teachers can impart to children so that when they start school they can absolutely thrive."
Aspire Preschool will host a community meet and greet at Scroggin Coffee and Eatery at 7.30pm on August 14.
Those interested in attending the evening can register for the event via a link in the FAQ section of the preschool’s website.
