It has been a trying time in Christchurch but there are now signs of rebuilding among the rubble, and one of the organisations making progress is the New Zealand College of Early Childhood Education.

After losing its central city building following the February 2011 earthquake the college was forced to use temporary accommodation, but this week it officially opened the doors on its new campus.

The old building in Victoria Street was severely damaged in the February quake and staff and students were forced to abandon the building leaving all their equipment and resources behind.

During the following 18 months, the college relocated five times but now it has found a permanent home in two warehouses on an industrial estate in Sawyers Arms Road.

Staff spent months looking for suitable premises, while students attended classes at diverse locations such as Riccarton Racecourse and the Papanui Scout Den. A chance meeting with a real estate agent led to the warehouses, and the college managed to get the go ahead to change the buildings into academic facilities.

The new facility includes an information centre, classrooms, offices, an arts and crafts room, and a food and nutrition room.

The new campus was officially opened on July 26^th and the college is now looking to the future with the development of a new degree programme scheduled to start in 2014.