Queenstown baby boomers welcome PORSE

As the Queenstown and Southern Lakes region experiences a baby boom, with 444 children born in 2009 compared with 391 in 2008, parents are welcoming the arrival of New Zealand's largest provider of in-home childcare and educator training PORSE.

The baby boom has led to lengthy queues for early childhood centres in Queenstown and few options for mothers returning to work.

PORSE Queenstown's Programme Tutor and Educator Jodi Macfarlane said the response from parents wanting in-home child care had been enormous.

"We're hoping to relieve the chronic pressure on child care centres while offering parents the chance to have their children cared for in a settled home environment."

Ms Macfarlane said the soaring costs of living in the area meant more mothers were returning to the workforce.

"PORSE is both affordable and flexible with the Nanny Share option proving popular and ECE hours available for over 3's."

Weekly PORSE playgroups are being set up in Arrowtown and a NatureLive Playschool at Lake Hayes.

"We're finding the majority of the home-based care is centred around Lake Hayes and Arrowtown so it makes sense to set up the community playgroups in those areas," Ms Macfarlane said.

Jo Brown, sales manager at The Wine House & Kitchen said PORSE has provided her with the ideal care situation for her daughter Sophia aged 10 months.

"Sophia has a great relationship with her educator and they can get out and about to Playschools and enjoy the Queenstown great outdoors.

In-home also allows the benefits of flexibility that we require being in the hospitality industry."

Jodi Macfarlane said the demand from parents meant they were keen to hear from anyone wanting to become a PORSE Educator.

"There is the chance for people to start work immediately, with PORSE offering on the job training, and recognised career pathways."

Ms Macfarlane said there was also an opportunity for families and friends who had been supporting each other with childcare, to join the PORSE network.

"Families can benefit from PORSE subsidies, education programmes, twice weekly social outings, professional development, regular visits and support from the programme tutors.

"This also applies to grandparents, au pairs or anyone caring for children," she said.