sensum minds #4 - Construction Delivery: Building the Future of Early Education

Sensum Minds Education Series - Part 4

The delivery stage of early childhood education projects is the critical phase where the design vision comes to life. While some schools are still using traditional construction, this stage presents a great opportunity to embrace modern methods of construction (MMC) to achieve efficiency, sustainability, and innovation. We are seeing more clients and projects being delivered through MMC, and it's an area of the industry that Sensum has been passionate about and focused on since our inception at the start of 2015.

Traditional construction methodologies have long been the standard in the construction of educational facilities. However, the shift towards MMC offers numerous advantages, including reduced construction time, minimised on-site disruption, and enhanced quality control. This approach is particularly beneficial for projects within live school environments, where safety and professionalism are paramount.

The Victorian government has been at the forefront of driving MMC delivery in the early childhood education space, with South Australia and New South Wales following suit. This shift is a testament to the growing recognition of the benefits of MMC in delivering high-quality educational facilities. For example, in addition to delivering projects via traditional methods, the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) have demonstrated MMC's effectiveness by delivering 100+ projects off-site, setting a precedent for the industry. Sensum has also worked alongside South Australia departments to deliver more than 25+ MMC education projects across the State. 

For those involved in the planning and construction of educational projects, understanding the nuances of traditional versus modern construction methods is crucial. MMC offers a path to realising the design vision with greater efficiency and innovation, while still adhering to the strict compliance and regulatory standards that govern the education sector.

When it comes to compliance, one of the key differences in the delivery of education projects, especially early childhood facilities, that we are seeing is the requirement for an independent compliance assessment. To open a kindergarten, for example, the facility must achieve a compliance assessment through an independent body such as the Quality Assessment and Regulation Division (QARD). This ensures that all aspects of the construction, including safety features like climbing structures, heights, and gaps, meet stringent standards. As one principal noted to Sensum recently, "Compliance and regulation are difficult," highlighting the importance of pre-inspections, tweaks, and adjustments to meet these requirements.

We’d love to invite those interested in considering MMC for their project to come and experience the difference firsthand. We will be looking at registrations of interest for site visits of selected projects, which will provide a unique opportunity to see the advantages of modern construction methods in action and to understand how we can bring your education project to life.

If you would like to know more or enquire about a site visit, get in touch with one of our Education Team Leaders.