THE Forest Hill outside of school care building has expanded due to the pressure that has mounted as more defence families are being posted to the area.
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The new $150,000 demountable that is connected to the existing building will increase the capacity from 30 students to 50.
This extension by the Forest Hill Outside of School Hours not-for-profit organisation is the beginning of a list of initiatives that are aimed at bringing the community closer together.
"We have a large number of defence families who move out here, not knowing anyone and can't get care for their children because our 30 places have fallen short of meeting the demand for quite a few years now," said committee president Angela Elphick.
"We've had a situation where a lot of defence families have enrolled their children in town where they can get before and after school care, so the children will be able to come back here.
"It's been a long time coming ... a lot of work, but it's been really rewarding."
Plans to expand the space have been on the cards for several years and on Thursday night the community will finally get the chance to walk inside.
Mrs Elphick said the new space will cater to a variety of needs, including more indoor active play through hopscotch and gymnastic mats, as well as a quiet space for children on the autism spectrum.
"The expansion will become our play area," she said.
"The kids have been screaming for technology, so there's a corner with all sorts of games they can interact with, such as a new version of Twister that interacts with the app.
"Our TV room is also bigger ... and we'll have a library corner rather than just a bookshelf."
The new building is disable friendly and also features toilets on site, which means children are no longer required to go into the school to use those facilities.
The kitchen will also be transformed over the two-week Christmas break and a laundry will be installed, so that staff will no longer have to wash tea towels and other items at home.
"We've got a great group of staff ... many are studying to be teachers," Mrs Elphick said.
It has been full steam ahead for the committee since the new demountable arrived on scene on November 7 and Mrs Elphick said she has been working flat-out, from 7am to nearly midnight in the past week.
Forest Hill residents are invited to the Christmas party that coincides with the opening on the extension on December 5, at 6pm.