The new Bright Beginnings Childcare Centre is funded by Leeds University and will be run by a charitable subsidiary that plans to devise other ways of raising income to ensure it remains financially secure in the long term.
It will nearly double the number of childcare places available to children of staff and students, from 75 to 144, and provide a permanent home for the university's playscheme, which is currently located in the student union building.
For the past ten years Bright Beginnings has been housed in a purpose-built portable building.
The new setting is intended to meet an increase in demand for childcare places and enable more students, who may be deterred from pursuing higher education by the lack of childcare provision, to enrol at the university.
Angela Foley, general manager of Bright Beginnings, said, 'The new centre will be a one-stop shop for families. As well as providing childcare we also hope to be able to offer extra curricular activities such as baby yoga, baby massage and parenting classes.'
Staff at the centre were consulted on the design of the new two-storey setting and encouraged to share their opinions on how it should look and what it should include.
They also asked the children at Bright Beginnings what they would like to see at the new centre. This has led to plans to build in an American-style diner.
Other special features include mezzanine floors to allow children to have open access to outdoor areas, a dedicated heuristic play room, parent consultation rooms and a training unit.
The new centre will care for children aged from three months to five years and is due to open in spring 2010.