The state of the art, Kool Beanz SUNS Academy is officially open.

14 months after the sod was officially turned on the site, the world class childcare learning facility has begun providing its students with an incredible start to their education.

The 13,000sqm development which is based at the Heritage Bank Stadium precinct will play host to 185 children each day and 20 children who require additional support needs.

Everything is conducive to an environment that is about learning, whilst playing and having fun at the same time.

Kool Beanz SUNS Founder Bruce Coulson was on hand to mark the official opening.

“This has been a seven-and-a-half-year journey and we think we’ve delivered the world’s best childcare environment, and more importantly a fully inclusive childcare environment, which is a first,” Coulson said.

“The key thing to takeaway, is that everyone’s job in childcare is to send children to school really well developed, to get there on day one and be ready for school.

“So whilst they’re amazing facilities, are job as educators is to give them an experience that puts them ahead of the game. That’s what we must achieve.”

“This project highlights what we are striving to be as a club, the SUNS, we’re building something unique together, a facility that nobody else has. So, for all those other clubs out there, this is the level you have to get too.”

Students will have the opportunity to grow vegetables in the vegetable garden, create art in a dedicated room, experience the wonders of Science Technology Engineering Mathematics in the STEM room, participate in daily yoga classes and or play footy on the purpose built field.

The inclusive outdoor environment focuses on nature with a swing forest, fairies creek, climbers net and Old MacDonald’s Farm, an ever-changing and free-flowing environment that stimulates all the senses.

Gold Coast SUNS Chief Executive Mark Evans was inspired by the opportunities the venture could create for the Gold Coast community.

“You will not find another childcare centre like this in Australia or the rest of the world,” Evans said.

“We want to mean more to the Gold Coast than just being it’s local AFL football team, we want to have a lasting impact on the community.”

“We’ve been working hard to identify ways to bring the next generation of fans into our sport and then the Gold Coast SUNS and the Kool Beanz SUNS Academy will take that to the next level.”

“Imagine the first child who starts their journey with our club by attending Kool Beanz SUNS, they go onto Primary School and get introduced to Auskick, fall in love with our game, join the SUNS Academy and then end up making their AFL or AFLW debut, that will be an incredibly special day.”

Evans took the opportunity to acknowledge Founder Bruce Coulson and his wife for their vision, as well as the many people who had brought the project to life.

“To Bruce and Carolyn Coulson, thank you very much for all of your support and to everyone who helped bring this project to life, thank you and congratulations, I look forward to it all getting started.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate was full of praise for a project that would actively engage and meet the needs of the community.

“Congratulations to Bruce and the Gold Coast SUNS. They’re storming ahead, putting footy on the map and really trying to capture the hearts and minds of the next generation,” Mayor Tom Tate said.

“For the people of the Gold Coast, to have a facility that is world class, things to do that are beyond the imagination, they’ll be SUNS fans for life.”

“The thing that impresses me the most is that special needs children are catered for, they are really part of the environment. Kool Beanz SUNS, leaves no one behind.”

Autism Queensland will work in partnership with Kool Beanz Academy to support the inclusion of children in the centre and will also provide assessment and therapy services for older children in co-located premises.

For more information or to book a tour of facility visit https://koolbeanz.com.au/early-learning-centre-carrara-suns/