Family-owned Childcare business welcomes back Subiaco community after devastating fire

In 2009, Schools of Early Learning (SOEL) opened its Subiaco centre to address increased community demand for quality childcare, following the success of the original SOEL centre in Nedlands, opened in 1974.

On February 10 2024, at 1 am, Subiaco SOEL erupted in flames, destroying most of the centre. Fortunately, the babies’ rooms and parts of the outdoor spaces located at the back of the property remained untouched.

“Our main concern at the moment are the families who use the [Subiaco] centre.” Our Executive Chairperson, Dr Brett Thomson, spoke to the media at that time. “We want to reassure everyone, the families, staff, the City of Subiaco, that we are committed to a rebuild. We think it is important that the local community have access to an excellent facility that provides high-quality education.”

SOEL organised an event to provide closure for all Subiaco families. This gathering at Koorak Kings Park allowed children to reconnect with their educators and play with their friends once more. The event provided families with the opportunity to exchange contact information, ensuring that children would stay connected with their SOEL friends. It also allowed everyone to say a proper goodbye to the staff members, helping to maintain those important connections.

“Understandably, many families reached out to us feeling lost during this time. Children made cards and gifts for their educators, hoping to see them one last time. Organising an event to help families reconnect with SOEL was an obvious next step,” said David Healy, Business Process Manager at SOEL. “Families and staff were happy to see each other again whilst sharing in the collective grief of what they had lost.”

Following the fire, SOEL prioritised relocating as many Subiaco families as possible to our other SOEL locations, ensuring their children’s continued educational learning journey with us. Subiaco SOEL staff were placed in support roles across our  centres.

From 2009 – 2024, Subiaco School of Early Learning was a much-beloved resource that greatly benefited the local community. Now in 2026, the SOEL team are ready to welcome families new and old to the meticulously rebuilt childcare centre, starting with a celebratory Open Day on February 7th. 

“All of us here at SOEL are eagerly awaiting the chance to reopen our doors to the vibrant Subiaco community that placed their trust in us for over a decade.” - Amy Clarke, Subiaco SOEL Manager.

“This rebuild restores all the state-of-the-art qualities that made the original centre so special, as well as exciting new enhancements. Families can look forward to the same commitment to high-quality childcare that we prioritise in all of our centres, along with brand-new amenities that will enhance their experience throughout the centre.” - Matthew Wright, CEO at SOEL.

“Our redesigned layout creates welcoming and accessible spaces that allow the children to explore freely, with clearer lines of sight areas for our dedicated educators.” - Amy Clarke, Subiaco SOEL Manager.

"We’re also proud to offer larger rooms for our 3 and 4-year-old kindy programmes. Our upstairs area has been thoughtfully revamped with our dedicated staff in mind, providing a spacious staff room, dedicated study offices, and a beautifully designed activity room. We are looking forward to seeing the joy this revitalised space will bring to the children and families in 2026.” - Matthew Wright, CEO at SOEL.

The Subiaco SOEL Community is reuniting and welcoming back returning staff and families, many of whom originally enrolled their children and now have younger siblings attending.  Subiaco’s reopening coincides with a refreshed rebranding of SOEL’s former logo, marking the official transition from “Schools of Early Learning” to “SOEL Early Years Education”, a name they have used informally for several years.

Daisy and Tom Tasker, one of SOEL’s original Subiaco parents, are excited to return to the newly rebuilt centre. Following the fire, SOEL welcomed Daisy and Tom’s children to their Nedlands centre. They will be returning to Subiaco SOEL with their youngest children next year.

“Our two children have absolutely loved attending SOEL since 2021. They have formed beautiful connections with educators and peers. As parents, we have felt nothing but confidence and peace of mind each day knowing that our children are receiving the best care available. After the devastating fire, we are excited to be returning to Subiaco and looking forward to seeing the new space!” - Daisy Tasker, Subiaco SOEL Parent.

Subiaco SOEL has already seen substantial interest, with enrolments open now for 2026. To secure a place for your child, visit soel.wa.edu.au or call the SOEL Enrolments team on (08) 6314 1199.