UrbanGrowth NSW has started construction of the new $1.5 million Bambi Kindergarten at Edmondson Park in Sydney’s Southwest, giving a new lease of life to a pre-school dating back more than 60 years.

The purpose-designed kindergarten will accommodate up to 60 children aged 2-5 years per day, increasing its current capacity by 50 per cent.

“With the subdivision of the surrounding land and the forthcoming creation of the Edmondson Park Town Centre, Bambi needed new accommodation,” said UrbanGrowth NSW’s Head of Western Sydney Projects Matthew Beggs.

“Bambi’s new location near Mont Saint Quentin Reserve means that the kindergarten retains a wonderful parkland setting and strong connections with the area’s military history,” Mr Beggs said.

“The architecturally designed building features a wide porch, office space, a staff room, kitchen, program rooms, toilets, a laundry, generous storage and air conditioning. We are delighted to provide this much nicer and more efficient space for them to operate.”

Construction of the new kindergarten is expected to take around six months. UrbanGrowth NSW will then pass ownership of the new kindergarten and adjoining car park to Campbelltown City Council.

“Today marks a new beginning for everyone associated with Bambi. On behalf of our Management Committee, I’d like to thank UrbanGrowth NSW and Campbelltown City Council for making this possible,” said Bambi Kindergarten Director Alicia Harrington.

The Mayor of Campbelltown, Councillor Paul Hawker, said he was pleased that the kindergarten would continue to service the local community.

“Bambi Kindergarten has a long and proud history in the Campbelltown Local Government Area, having operated here for 64 years. The new facility will go a long way towards ensuring the youngest members of our community have access to quality early education opportunities,” Cr Hawker said.

Bambi Kindergarten began as a Department of Defence building off Stevens Road at Ingleburn in the early 1950s to serve Defence families. It will continue to operate for civilian families as it does to this day.