A developer has submitted a planning application to build a six-classroom private preschool in West Bay which will cater to 108 students.
Carolyn Chaloner’s $2.3 million project proposal also features a multipurpose room and administration office on a 0.8-acre site on Birch Tree Hill Road.
This is the second proposal for a new preschool in West Bay this year and, if approved, could become one of five in that area.
A $1.1 million four-classroom Montessori facility on a 5.25-acre plot off Captain Reginald Parsons Drive was given the go-ahead to begin construction in April.
According to the Cayman Islands Compendium of Statistics 2022, there were 41 facilities offering early childhood care and education in Grand Cayman that year.
In total, they catered to 1,976 children. However, of those, only 152 attended facilities in West Bay – 95 in private centres and 57 in public schools.
Points to consider
In the Department of Planning’s analysis of the application, it advised the Central Planning Authority to consider several points when making its decision.
One was whether the proposed single-storey multiple buildings, which would be connected using covered walkways, is suitable for the high-density residential zone.
The department also suggested the authority analyse the developer’s proposed side setback variance of 10 feet, a lack of security fencing, and the number of parking spaces.
In its analysis, the Early Childhood Care and Education Unit asked questions of the developer and the answers were included in the application, published online on 28 Nov.
The unit questioned if the classrooms would be entirely visible from outside, to which the applicant replied that each door would have a glass panel.
Chaloner added that there would be CCTV in each classroom and in all corridors and outside play areas.
The unit asked for plans for a sick bay, to which the applicant replied that there would be a cot in the head teacher’s office for any sick children.
In its last question, it asked how access to the institution would be controlled.
The applicant said there would be a fence and hedge around the whole property and a six-foot gate at either side of the porch at the front of the school.
The application will be discussed at the 6 Dec. meeting of the Central Planning Authority and the decision published in the minutes when they go online about three weeks later.
Related Videos
