Two former Hastings locals have joined forces to create Sovereign Hills’ second childcare centre in our growing community.Jay Luckie and Adam Robson are proud to reveal details about Smartland Early Learning Port Macquarie, now under construction in our Stirling Green precinct.“Our vision is to create a learning experience like no other,” the now Brisbane-based duo shared.“We incorporate innovative programs such as beach kinder, bush kinder, regular zoo excursions, visits to nursing homes, yoga classes, cooking classes and shopping experiences into our curriculum.“As adults, not many of us can recall a day in our childhood where we sat in a classroom, however, going on a learning excursion with classmates is a memory that will stay with children forever.”The 104-place centre, Mr Luckie’s fourth, will cater for babies aged from six weeks to school aged children and is being built on the corner of Sovereign Drive and Lycett Street.Twelve years after leaving the region, Mr Robson is looking forward to applying his boutique design, construction and management skills to their development and delivering a quality local project, while utilising local trades and suppliers.“To be able to design and construct our very own building from scratch is an amazing milestone that we are very proud of.“The placement of the kitchen in the middle of the centre will enable nutritional education to be incorporated into the daily learning. The alfresco meal area will open out to an open plan area which will also serve as a functional space for parent education forums and meetings.“We will not give away too much about what is planned for the playgrounds, however, we will say that we will have a replica fort of our beloved lighthouse from Lighthouse Beach.”The long-time friends and now business partners are looking forward to having another reason to reconnect with the Hastings.“We have been following the development for some time and really loved the community identity that Sovereign Hills was building for itself. Sovereign Hills was also a topic of conversation with anyone that we would catch up with when back home.”Following the success of Sovereign Hills’ first independently-operated childcare centre in our Barton Ridge precinct, developer Lewis Land Group is excited to welcome another passionate operator to our community.“Now home to approximately 1500 residents, Sovereign Hills has been experiencing a baby boom of late and the demand for this service continues to grow with us,” revealed LLG Head of Development Michael Long.“We’re also aware of a number of families from outside our community who are awaiting placement for their little ones so the news another state-of-the-art childcare centre will open soon will no doubt be very welcome.”The operators are aiming for an open day in March next year. To get in touch with the centre and remain up to date with key dates you can visit their website here.