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A historical North Plympton home has been transformed into Adelaide’s newest childcare centre and it officially opened this week, allowing families to enrol and tour the heritage venue on Marion Road
The new centre actually marks a big milestone for Emali Early Learning Centre, as it’s tenth location in and around Adelaide for the South Australian organisation. The warm and inviting centre has been reimagined and offers a unique but modern environment for children to learn, play and grow.
“The North Plympton centre is a reimagined community icon, restored from fire damage and transformed to provide a beautiful and engaging environment for children to learn, grow and thrive,” said Ali Serhan, Founder and Owner of Emali Early Learning Centre.
Ali says the response from local families has been extremely positive, with many in the community already invested in seeing the well-known heritage building brought back to life.
“The community has been so invested in the transformation of the abandoned historical building and its repurpose,” said Trish Xenikis, Centre Director of Emali North Plympton.
“The heritage home is so iconic in the area and for the building to be completely restored to continue to be enjoyed for generations to come, that is something special.
“It truly feels like a home away from home and has such a warm and comforting feeling as soon as you come inside,” Trish said.
The original 1800s home has retained many of its character features, including its high ceilings and natural light, while being expanded with modern learning spaces designed for babies and young children.
The restored section now houses team programming areas, the Emali Kitchen, where fresh and nutritious meals are prepared daily, a parent lounge and Emali’s first dedicated music room.
The music room has been designed as a space for Emali’s Music and Movement Coordinator to host dedicated classes with children across different ages, adding to the centre’s broader extra-curricular program.
The centre also includes spacious indoor and outdoor learning areas, free-flowing play spaces, a bike track, Emali’s first sports field, and a dedicated sensory room created in collaboration with occupational therapists.
The North Plympton sensory room is the third of its kind across Emali centres and includes its own rock-climbing wall. It’s designed to help children with regulation, motor skills, coordination and confidence, supporting their development as they grow toward school age.
For Emali, the opening has been about more than creating a new childcare centre.
“Outside of being able to breathe new life into an iconic building, it’s fulfilling our vision to provide quality, safe childcare and early learning experiences that children and local families need and deserve,” Trish said.
“It’s been great to have had such a positive response from the local community.
“It is adding more value to the community through the refurbishment as well as new memories children and families will create over many years to come.”
Places are now available for children from six weeks through to preschool age, with families able to book a tour online. Children are encouraged to attend tours with their families so they can explore the spaces and meet the team, while families planning ahead can also join the waitlist to secure a future place.
Enrolment includes a diverse range of learning programs, nutritious, culturally inclusive meals prepared with seasonal produce, along with access to Emali’s extra-curricular programs and more.
“We look forward to celebrating the opening of our centre with a Grand Opening Event, so we invite local families to stay tuned for this and to join in on the fun!”
Emali Early Learning North Plympton
Where: 354 Marion Rd, North Plympton
When: Open now
For more info and to book a centre tour, click here.
