DESIGN BRIEF

Bulleen Pre-School – Proposed addition

Background

Programs offered at Bulleen Pre-School

Bulleen Pre-School is a not-for-profit, progressive kindergarten offering structured

kindergarten programs to 3 year old and 4 year old children in the Reggio Emilia philosophy.
Through the early childhood education model of Reggio Emilia, children are encouraged to
discover themselves by exploring nature, materials and friendships. The programs currently
offered include:

o 3 year olds for 6 hours per week to 40 children (20 per class).
o 4 year olds for 12 hours per week to 45 children (30 per class).

Interactive teaching materials and displays in play room

Existing conditions - Building and site context

The Bulleen Pre-School is located in a primarily residential area, opposite to the car park for
Bulleen Plaza. The facilities are owned by Manningham Council. The existing building on the
site is of brick veneer construction and is around 50 years old. It consists of a verandah,
foyer, single play room, staff office, store room, children’s toilets, adult toilets and kitchen.
These are currently compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). The Manningham
Council Maternal and Child Health Care service for Bulleen is co-located in the Pre-School
building and accessed via a separate entrance.

Pre-school entrance and front playground

Rear playground
National Early Childhood Education Program

In February 2009, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed that all Australian
children should have access to 15 hours of a pre-school program in the year prior to starting
primary school (ie 4 year old children). This should be made available by 2013 and is aimed
at smoothing the transition to school.

To support the implementation of the “Universal Access to 15 Hours”, the Department of

Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) has made grants of up to $200k
available to pre-schools/ kindergartens to provide additional facilities to deliver the increased
services required.

Project Overview

The pre-school is seeking to improve its service to the local community by accommodating a
higher number of children and providing extended hours of services for all children enrolled.
In particular, the pre-school is aiming to provide 15 hours of pre-school program to the
children preparing for primary school, in line with the Council of Australian Governments
(COAG) agreement made in 2009. An addition to the existing premises is required to facilitate
these expansions of services.

Objectives of Concept Design

The Bulleen Pre-School Management Committee plans to apply for a grant of $200k through
the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s Children’s Capital Grant
Program for the 2011/12 funding year. To support the application and to give the project's
stakeholders a level of confidence in their engagement and that the project can be delivered
on budget, a preliminary design and cost estimate must be completed by early 2011.

As a result of this context, the objectives of the concept design are:

o To gain agreement between stakeholders in regard to the design of the additional

room and utilisation of existing space;
o To prepare a design where all works can be delivered for a total of $220k (this
budget to include costs incurred at design development and construction stages,
application of permits, construction costs, etc)
o Prepare concept drawings and documentation to accompany the Children’s
Capital Grant Program application, including liaising with a Quantity Surveyor
and/or prospective contractor(s) as required to obtain written quotations and cost
plan – the extent of documentation is to be negotiated with the client

As the building owner, the Manningham Council will deliver the project following funding
approval but have not included any allowance for the project in forward budgets. During
preliminary discussions held with Council’s Social and Community Services unit,
representatives have been supportive of Bulleen Pre-School’s plans to build the new room.
Stakeholders

The table below includes a brief outline of the key stakeholders in the project and the nature of
their interest.

Stakeholder Nature of Interest

Bulleen Pre-School
The management committee must provide overall
Management
leadership through this significant change, prepare and
Committee
position the funding applications for success and fundraise
any money above the Children’s Capital Program
allocation needed to deliver the project.
The teaching staff design the curriculum to utilise the
Teaching Staff
space available and will assess the design based on their
requirements and advise of any anticipated issues with
comfort and usability.
Will need to contribute to funding of the project and be
Parents
involved in the journey.
City of Manningham
Primary contact for the pre-school at council and provide
Social and
the overarching strategy for the children’s services in the
Community Services
area. Any improvements and changes to capacity must be
considered in their long term plans.
Facilities owner and group that will ultimately need to
Facilities and Project
deliver the project. Interested in the design to allow due
Management
diligence into constructability, cost, schedule and ongoing
maintainability.
Group currently co-located in the Pre-School building and,
Maternal and Child
depending on the design outcome, it may be necessary to
Health Care
negotiate some changes to their space and method of
operation. Interested in the design to ensure their
objectives and requirements are satisfied.
Dept Education and Early Provides funding for the project and also governs
Childhood Development curriculum and licence.
Dept Human Services Provides supports, policies and legislations on a range of
community services including child protection and
supports
Neighbouring Residents Interested in the design of the facilities as they do not want
to have their outlook changed due to a new building.
Design Functional Requirements

• The design should be innovative and maximise environmental sustainability (minimise

environmental impact) and provide the opportunity to teach young people about their
impact on the environment.
• Be delivered with minimal risk for $220k or less.
• Provide all weather facilities to accommodate up to 22 children so that two sessions
can be run in parallel. This additional space will allow places to be offered to 60
children for each 3 and 4 year old classes.
• Include a focal point entry in a covered piazza and shared studio facilities in the atelier.
• Allow for independent access and egress to the new room.
• Consider the fundamentals of the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education
including:
o Flexibility
o Community
o Multi-sensory
• Incorporate design considerations of:
o Abundant natural light
o Colour
o Materials
o Smell
o Sound
o Microclimate

Spaces Required and Vision for Space

• The project should deliver an additional all weather room of approximately 70 sqm
area along with shared piazza and atelier. As a guide, 3.3m2 of space is required per
child (Children’s Services Regulations).
• The options of utilisation of some space from the Maternal and Child Health Care
should be considered.

Applicable Acts and Regulations

• Children’s Services Act 1996

• Children’s Services Regulations 2009

A list of additional governing documents (eg funding guidelines) can be provided on request.