New Edge Early Learning centre opens in Kanimbla to meet growing demand for childcare in Cairns

Families in Cairns will soon have more childcare and Kindy options with the opening of Edge Early Learning Kanimbla, delivering 103 new places for local children and creating new jobs for educators and support staff. 

The $3.5M purpose-build centre at 69 Elphinstone Street, Kanimbla, is Edge’s fourth centre in Cairns, reflecting the company’s continued investment in Far North Queensland. The centre will provide care and education for children from six weeks to school age, with the centre featuring six custom designed classrooms, each with access to a purpose-built visual arts atelier, an in-house chef providing fresh meals daily and expansive outdoor learning environments featuring bike tracks, climbing forts, sandpits, water play stations and vegetable gardens.

The opening comes as Cairns’ population continues to grow, with the latest Cummings Economics research showing the city added 2,707 new residents in 2023–24, taking the total population to 178,104. The wider Far North region grew by more than 4,300 people, reinforcing the demand for more early education and care options.

Edge Early Learning Kanimbla Centre Director, Helen Moors said the investment responds directly to the growing demand for early learning and Kindergarten in the region.

“Cairns is growing fast, and families are telling us there simply aren’t enough childcare places to meet demand. Our new Kanimbla centre is part of Edge’s ongoing commitment to respond to this need while also creating meaningful local jobs,” Ms Moors said. 

“We’re proud to bring a state-of-the-art facility to Kanimbla, where children will learn through play in a safe, nurturing and inspiring environment.”

The centre will operate long daycare hours from 6:30am to 6:30pm, Monday to Friday, with fees ranging from $155 – $158 per day before the Childcare Subsidy, which can cover up to 95% of daily costs depending on individual family eligibility.

“At Edge Early Learning Kanimbla, we are passionate about creating environments that inspire curiosity and a love of learning. Our inquiry-based program encourages children to ask questions, explore new ideas about themselves and the world around them, and develop confidence through play,” Ms Moors said.

“We look forward to supporting local families and building strong connections within the Kanimbla community.”

The centre also offers Edge’s unique Teach A Rainbow education program, which integrates creativity, STEM, wellbeing, community and sustainability into a holistic learning approach personalised to the children’s individual learning goals. Children will benefit from activities such as yoga, mindfulness, physical education and sustainability projects, and a sense of belonging and resilience fostered through visual art in the art ateliers, while parents will receive regular updates through the Storypark app.

Edge’s programs are guided by the national Early Years Learning Framework, ensuring a strong foundation for school readiness and lifelong learning.

Key features of Edge Early Learning Kanimbla include:

• Six purpose-built class rooms
• Purpose-built visual art atelier rooms
• Indoor and outdoor learning environments featuring sandpits, water play, bike tracks, climbing forts and vegetable gardens
• Long daycare hours of 6.30am – 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, with year-round programs
• Government approved and subsidised Kindergarten offering ‘Free Kindy’ to eligible children
• All meals freshly prepared on-site by an in-house chef
• Sustainable nappies, wipes and sunscreen provided
• Bachelor-qualified teacher and qualified educators delivering Edge’s inquiry-based Teach A Rainbow education program tailored to individual children’s needs
• The Edge Welcome Pack for each child, featuring a hat, water bottle, backpack and Edge T-shirt
• On-site parking and secure pram storage

For more information, visit Edge Early Learning.