History

Pippies is a community based, not-for-profit early childhood centre in Northern NSW.  The centre has been in operation for over 20 years and caters for children from 6 weeks to 6 years of age.

 

Multipurpose Centres were an initiative developed by the NSW state government in the 1990's. They targeted rural communities within NSW that could not support a traditional long day care centre as well as a traditional preschool. They were also areas that were beginning to show predicted growth. There were eight of these models trialled in NSW. They were all set up slightly differently to each other to meet the needs of their individual communities.

 

 

 

Pippies Early Childhood Centre first opened our doors in March 1995. There were only 12 children attending the centre on its first day but today we have a waitlist as many parents want to send their children locally and to a community centre where children are the focus.

Many of staff have been here for a long time. Debby, who works here as a casual,started on the day that Pippies opened its doors! Linda: October 1995; and Gay 1999.  

 

The community has changed dramatically since the centre first opened. There are far more dual income families and the prices of homes and land in the area has risen. These changes have led to the elimination of both the Short Day Care and the short day Preschool program.The Preschool program now operates for the full hours that the centre is open including school holidays. This also includes a Preschool Enrichment Program which operates in the afternoon for children who will be attending Kindergarten in the following year.