North west Sydney parents who struggle to balance work while caring for their children, now have access to before and after school care, with the new building officially opening at Epping West on 31 July. The opening of this facility marks a significant step in providing quality care for families in Sydney’s north west.
The number of students enrolled at Epping West Public School has grown significantly in recent years and so has the need for care outside of school hours. Wesley Mission has invested $450,000 into the new building to accommodate 65 children with a further 142 housed in additional rooms at Epping West. Currently 80 children are attending before school care and 190 in after school care at Wesley Out of School Hours (OOSH) Epping West. A further 90 children are also accessing vacation care during the school holidays.
“The complexity of family life today… it’s often a juggling act with children,” said the Rev Keith V Garner AM, CEO of Wesley Mission at the facility opening. “So Wesley Mission is stepping into that space and saying, we want to be there to provide an engaging environment for children that enables them to grow into confident young people.”
Quality care is of the highest priority for both Wesley OOSH and the staff at Epping West. At the building opening, Principal Therese Hinder shared how this partnership will now enable their students to receive consistent education and care across all school programs.
“We’re committed to empowering our children by developing the qualities of learning. The personal qualities of resilience, being curious, being empathetic,” said Principal Hinder.
“It’s very heartening to me… to see that the philosophy of personal responsibility, independence, creativity and play are valued and are so much part of this centre. So our children are getting a consistent message. What they get during the day at school, they get before and after school care and what they get at home.”
Together Mr Garner and Principal Hinder unveiled a commemorative plaque at the Wesley OOSH building opening. Students from Epping West then gave a lively performance of ‘We’re all in this together’ from the well-known High School Musical film.
Representatives were in attendance on behalf of The Hon. Dominic Perrottet MP, Treasurer and Member of Epping and Parramatta Councillor, Lord Mayor Andrew Wilson. The occasion was also enjoyed by Wesley Mission staff, families who are enrolled at Wesley OOSH and Epping West teachers and staff.
Wesley OOSH has five centres across the north west and west regions of Sydney including North Kellyville Public School, Quakers Hill Public School, Riverstone Public School, Seven Hills West Public School and now Epping West Public School.