Children's health a major factor in pre-school build

Above average rates of asthma inhaler use mean the wellness of children a major factor in new Christchurch pre-school build

Bishopdale Community Preschool in Christchurch is a not for profit community preschool run by volunteers and governed by parents. Sarah Straver, manager at the school says “We have a high number of children using preventers and emergency inhaler medication – in winter around 30% of the children and in summer it is about 25%. Because of this it is really important for us to consider the wellness of children within the context of our build.” In New Zealand generally 1 in 7 children (about 14%) take asthma medication.

Bishopdale Community Preschool existed in a council owned building for 40 years in Bishopdale, Christchurch. After the February 2011 earthquakes the building was shut down. For the last two and a half years the preschool's been run out of building at a local intermediate school. The community have been working hard to raise funds for a new building.

During the course of getting quotes for the build the team at Bishopdale Community Preschool met with a few different builders, including Fusion Homes. The Fusion Homes buildings are Sensitive Choice approved. “When Fusion Homes started to talk about healthy buildings that made it more of a natural partnership for us,” said Sarah.

“We’re excited to be building a preschool as we believe all children deserve to have a warm, healthy, environment with reduced asthma triggers, in which to learn and grow.” said Chris Haughey, director from Fusion Homes Ltd. “Health, wellbeing, and sustainability should be the minimal standard for all buildings in New Zealand,”

There are currently 70 children on the role and when the new Bishopdale Community Preschool is built it will have a maximum role of 110 children.

Phil Burt, from the Asthma Foundation, said “we know there were over 23,000 hospital admissions for respiratory conditions for children under 15 in 2013, with 3,700 of these for asthma - so it makes sense to build a warmer, dryer and healthier school to make a difference in reducing asthma and allergy triggers for these children.”

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