It has involved a lot of sausage sizzles and bake sales but the not-for-profit community preschool can now operate with purpose-built administration offices and a new and improved front entrance.

Stage one of the renovation is almost complete and the board and staff at YECCA are celebrating the important milestone with an official opening on Friday September 2.

The formality will coincide with the highly anticipated raffle of a Toyota Yaris at the Soldiers Club. The raffle has been made possible by generous donations from the Soldiers Club, Yass Rotary and Luff Motors. The 200 sought after car tickets sold like hot cakes and all proceeds from the raffle will be used to fit out the new offices with the required furnishings and technology.

YECCA Director Fiona Nolan is over the moon with her new space. 

“It is amazing and we are so very grateful. We will have a purpose-built space to chat to parents and staff and we have never had that before.”

Board members Sally Butt and Donna Wullaert have worked tirelessly on making the renovation dream a reality. Plans for the three tier extensive building project were first mooted about six years ago when the board at the time drew up plans. Since then, myriad applications have been lodged with all levels of government in the hope of receiving financial assistance to undertake the essential work on the community-owned preschool.

In the end, it has largely come down to pro-active and dedicated board members and strong management practices at YECCA.

“We’ve received some funding from Bendigo Bank, Yass Council and the state government,” Sally said. “We have also been very fortunate to have generous support from the local community and Yass businesses to help us get this far.

“There has been no real administration area at YECCA since it opened 65 years ago and this will provide a better workplace environment, which will ultimately flow on to the service we can offer to students and parents.”

The preschool would like to take the opportunity to thank the local community for its support at the official opening next week. Past and present parents, board members and friends are invited to help celebrate the completion of stage one with a ceremony on site at 5pm on Friday September 2, followed by the car raffle at the Soldiers Club at 6pm.

The board is already moving forward with its plans to construct stages two and three, which will include a new multi-purpose childcare room and a roof.

“We are trying to pursue funds and waiting to hear if we have been successful with two funding applications,” Sally concluded.