Penrith City Council takes on operation of Somerset Cottage Children’s Centre

Penrith City Council has taken on the operation of Somerset Cottage Children’s Centre at Nepean Hospital.

The Council was awarded the tender by NSW Health to provide early childhood education and care (ECEC) for the children of critical healthcare workers in the community.

Somerset Cottage is a 68-place long day care service that caters for babies and children aged from birth to five years of age. 

The purpose-built centre formed part of Nepean Hospital’s Stage 1 Redevelopment. It features high ceilings, colourful and airy rooms, flexible open spaces and a well-appointed outdoor playground.

Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen said with more than 4,000 children and young people enrolled in the Council’s childcare centres, the organisation is thrilled to be welcoming more to the Children’s Services family.

“It is an honour to have the opportunity to care for and educate the children of front-line health care workers from the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District,” the Mayor said.

“Our talented and passionate educators have enjoyed meeting many new, little faces at this bright and inviting centre since the Council moved in.” 

With the addition of Somerset Cottage, the Council’s ECEC footprint has expanded to 53 services across the Penrith Local Government Area, including long day care, vacation care, outside school hours care, and preschool options, as well as a mobile play van which celebrated its 40th anniversary with the Penrith community last year.

To find out more about Council’s Children’s Services, visit penrith.city/childcare