There was a real sense of excitement at Young Academics Mount Pritchard as families, educators, local leaders and community members came together to officially celebrate the opening of the newly renewed centre.
The morning captured the heart of what Young Academics Mount Pritchard is all about: children exploring, families connecting and the centre filled with celebration. Families enjoyed a relaxed morning of activities, from face painting and balloon twisting to the animal farm and beautiful food prepared by our talented Chef Dee.
More than a celebration, the event was a chance for families to walk through the centre, meet the team and experience the care, thought and investment that has gone into creating a high-quality early learning environment for the Mount Pritchard community.
Senator Maria Kovacic joined us for the official opening, alongside Fairfield City Deputy Mayor Kevin Lam and Councillor Michael Mijatovic. Their presence helped mark an important milestone for the centre and reflected the significance of quality early learning within the local community.
A Centre Built for Local Families
Young Academics Mount Pritchard has undergone a significant transformation, with renewed learning environments, improved facilities and refreshed indoor and outdoor spaces designed to support children’s learning, safety and sense of belonging.
Speaking at the opening, Young Academics CEO Ian Fionda shared why the investment in the centre was so important.
“Local families deserve a high-quality early learning centre close to home, and children deserve a place where they can feel safe and want to be. That’s what we’ve tried to build here,” Ian said.
The centre has been renewed with children and families at the heart of every decision. From the learning spaces to the outdoor environments, each part of the centre has been considered to support children as they explore, play, build friendships and grow in confidence.
For COO Adrian Kemp, the event was a proud moment for everyone involved in bringing the centre to life.
“Mount Pritchard is a wonderful example of what can happen when you combine thoughtful investment, strong operational standards and a genuine love for the community,” Adrian said. “Seeing families explore the centre, meet our team and celebrate with us was incredibly special. This centre has been built with care, and we are excited for the memories, milestones and learning moments that will happen here.”
Recognising the Importance of Early Childhood Education
During her speech, Senator Maria Kovacic spoke passionately about the role early learning plays in the lives of children and families.
“What you have built here is a statement about what this community deserves and the value of investing in people and spaces that care for our children,” Senator Kovacic said.
She also reflected on the needs of families across Western Sydney, particularly in a diverse and hardworking community like Mount Pritchard.
“The families are all different, but what they want is the same thing: somewhere safe, somewhere warm, and somewhere that their children can grow and learn,” she said.
Her words captured the purpose behind the centre: to give local families confidence that their children are being cared for in an environment where they are known, supported and encouraged.
Celebrating the Educators Who Make It Possible
One of the most meaningful parts of the morning was the recognition of the educators who bring the centre to life every day.
Senator Kovacic acknowledged the important role educators play in children’s earliest years.
“You are not just minding children. You are shaping the first years of a person’s life,” she said.
Councillor Michael Mijatovic also spoke about the importance of having educators who genuinely care about children and understand the responsibility of working with them during such an important stage of development.
“You need people who love kids, who love their work,” he said. “They’re looking after the most important asset we’ve got, which is our young children.”
At Young Academics Mount Pritchard, our educators are central to the experience families have each day. They are the ones building relationships, creating learning opportunities and helping children feel settled, confident and ready to take on new challenges.
A Special Moment for the Mount Pritchard Community
As a Mount Pritchard local himself, Deputy Mayor Kevin Lam shared how meaningful it was to see this level of investment in the area.
“Knowing that there’s a high-standard childcare centre available in Mount Pritchard for the people here is super important,” he said.
He also reflected on the centre’s transformation and the impact it will have for families who now have access to quality early learning close to home.
For Centre Manager Kyrrah, the opening was a special opportunity to welcome families into the renewed centre and share what the team is building.
“It was beautiful to see so many families come through the centre and experience the warmth of our team,” Kyrrah said. “We want every child to feel safe, happy and known, and every family to feel confident that their child is in caring hands. This opening was such a proud moment for our centre.”
A Beautiful Start to a New Chapter
The official ribbon cutting marked an exciting milestone, but the real highlight of the morning was seeing families enjoy the centre together. Children explored the animal farm, families shared food and conversations, and the centre was filled with the kind of energy that makes early learning communities so special.
Young Academics Mount Pritchard is now proudly open and ready to welcome children and families into a centre built with care, purpose and a strong commitment to quality early learning.
We are grateful to Senator Maria Kovacic, Deputy Mayor Kevin Lam, Councillor Michael Mijatovic, our families, educators, team members and community guests for joining us to celebrate this exciting new chapter.
Here’s to the beginning of many wonderful memories at Young Academics Mount Pritchard.
