Western Bulldogs x Kool Beanz childcare centre at new Footscray Hospital 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Plenary has announced a new partnership between the Western Bulldogs and Kool Beanz, who will be the operators of the childcare centre at the new Footscray Hospital. 

Plenary Health, the entity delivering the new hospital, will manage the childcare centre tenancy along with other retail outlets, cafés, and medical clinics within the hospital precinct. 

Marking the first Kool Beanz in Victoria, the Bulldogs-themed centre will provide care for up to 90 children. 

With the fit-out of the childcare centre now underway on level four of the Tiernan Street commercial building, the facility will create close to 30 new jobs while supporting the increasing demand and needs of the local community.  

The rooftop childcare centre, opening later this year, will offer specialised areas such as an art room, library, Lego and STEM room.

An outdoor environment with nature and water play, a veggie garden, Zen garden, aviary and Western Bulldogs football field play area will also be available.

New Footscray Hospital Project Chair Kelvyn Lavelle said Plenary welcomed Western Bulldogs and Kool Beanz as the childcare centre tenants at the new Footscray Hospital precinct. 

“We’re looking forward to this collaboration with the Western Bulldogs and Kool Beanz,” he said.

“The on-site childcare centre is a welcome addition to the broader hospital precinct that will offer high quality care to local families and Western Health staff and volunteers working at the hospital.”

Bulldogs CEO Ameet Bains said he was thrilled to be partnering with Kool Beanz and Plenary Health to bring the one-of-a-kind childcare centre to the West.  

“We are proud to announce this exciting new partnership with trusted industry leaders, where we will be able to combine two important pillars of our club – the community and healthcare,” he said. 

“This collaboration is a testament to a shared commitment that will help ensure families are well-supported at every stage of their child’s learning and development.”   

Kool Beanz Founder Bruce Coulson shared the sentiment.  

“Partnering with the Western Bulldogs and Plenary Health allows us to bring high-quality early education to families in the heart of their community,” he said. 

“This centre will provide a nurturing, play-based environment where children can learn, grow, and feel supported while their parents focus on providing essential healthcare services. 

“This is an exciting new chapter for Kool Beanz as we expand into Victoria for the first time. We’re proud to bring our innovative approach to early learning to Footscray, working alongside the Western Bulldogs and Plenary Health to support local families with high-quality childcare.” 

Kool Beanz Childcare is a family-owned and operated business which prides itself on being more than just a childcare provider.  

Under the visionary leadership of Bruce and Carolyne Coulson, childcare industry veterans with 18 years of dedication, the hand-picked Kool Beanz team of experienced educators deliver tailored programs to meet the individual needs and interests of each child.  

Plenary Health is delivering the $1.5 billion new Footscray Hospital in partnership with the Victorian Government and Western Health, with the hospital on track for completion at the end of 2025. 

The new Footscray Hospital is one of the largest ever health infrastructure investments in the state, featuring more than 500 beds, enabling almost 15,000 additional patients and allowing around 20,000 extra people to be seen by the emergency department each year. 

 The childcare is the first tenancy announcement for the new Footscray Hospital with other precinct tenancies to follow.