A day of gratitude, growth, and collaboration
It was a morning filled with gratitude, as Ryse Construction officially handed over the newly completed Happy Hearts Childcare Centre to its operator in Burpengary East, marking not just the delivery of a stunning new facility, but the continuation of a deeper mission: to build places that serve and strengthen communities.
With representatives from KDL Property Group, Happy Hearts, and the wider Ryse and KDL teams in attendance, the event marked a milestone of true collaboration. This wasn’t just about bricks and mortar. It was about purpose, people, and a shared commitment to doing things better, for families, for the neighbourhood, and for the future.
“There’s only one word that comes to mind for me today, gratitude,” said April Williams, Ryse’s Operations Manager. “We’ve been so proud to deliver this project, not just for our team, but for every family that will walk through these doors.”
Building Beyond the Block
The Burpengary East centre isn’t just Ryse Construction’s first childcare build, it’s a symbol of the company’s growing role in shaping the communities it helps create. With over 200 homes delivered in the region of Burpengary East, Ryse and its development partner KDL Property Group recognised a need for more than just housing. They saw an opportunity to provide essential services that enhance liveability, especially for young families.
“This was never just a build for us,” said Greg McGee, General Manager at Ryse. “From day one, our mindset was: how can we deliver something the community will be proud of, that will genuinely support families living here?”
Working alongside Happy Hearts, the operator now taking over, Ryse and KDL co-designed the space with children, educators, and long-term community use in mind. The team at Elevation Architecture brought deep childcare expertise to the design, while Ryse’s own Kelly Allan led the construction effort with precision and passion.
“Kelly took this project on and made it her own. She’s exceeded everyone’s expectations, and the quality of this build is something the entire Ryse and KDL team can be incredibly proud of,” said April.
A Place Where Families Belong
From the outside, the new childcare centre is sleek and modern. But inside, it’s warm, homely, and already filling up fast.
Hayley, the centre’s new manager, described it as a dream come true.
“We already have 219 children on the waitlist,” she shared. “The community has been so excited. Families have been walking past during construction, waiting for the doors to open. It’s overwhelming, in the best way.”
For Hayley, a lifelong educator with roots in the UK and more than a decade in Australian childcare, the centre is more than just her workplace. It’s a place where she wants families to feel at home.
“I want to bring back that homey vibe,” she said. “Where kids can kick off their shoes, feel safe, and learn in a space that’s built with love and purpose.”
The Ryse Way: Leadership That Lasts
While the opening of a childcare centre might seem like a footnote in a developer’s broader portfolio, KDL Managing Director Kent Leicester sees it differently.
“This is a growing estate full of young families. And when we started this project, we knew we needed to go beyond just residential. Providing access to high-quality childcare and, soon, a medical precinct, is about creating a better life for the people who live here,” he said.
Kent’s vision for “building in balance”, delivering affordable housing with integrated community facilities, is increasingly rare in today’s market. It’s also what makes KDL and Ryse such valuable contributors to South East Queensland’s future.
“We’re proud to have partnered with Ryse on this,” said Barton Keenan, KDL Director of Development. “This centre is just the beginning of what’s possible when teams work together with a shared vision and genuine respect for the community they’re building in.”
And at the heart of it all is Ryse, a builder proving that it’s possible to deliver high-quality construction while keeping people, purpose, and place at the centre.
“We believe in building beyond the block,” said Greg. “Whether it’s homes, slabs, or childcare centres, it’s all about creating places where people can thrive. That’s what drives us.”
A Lasting Legacy
The Happy Hearts Childcare Centre at Burpengary East is more than a beautiful new building. It’s a legacy project, one that shows what’s possible when developers, builders, operators, and designers work as one.
From concept to handover, Ryse Construction has demonstrated what industry leadership truly looks like: not just in delivery, but in values, collaboration, and a commitment to leaving communities better than they found them.
At The Good Builder, we applaud this milestone, and we’ll be watching closely as the first children walk through the doors and bring this incredible space to life.
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