A small early-childhood centre is ideal for parents, children and teachers, but Lynda Richards says it is an option that is no longer viable and she is closing BabySpace which has been caring for infants and toddlers in Richmond for 15 years.
Lynda and her husband Chris Barnett created the centre solely for children under two years old, to give that age group an environment dedicated to their needs and small enough to have the same teachers throughout their stay.
She says, licencing nowadays is aimed at centres catering for up to 100 children or more and her facility on Chelsea Avenue is licenced for just 18 children at any one time.
It has just 23 children on its books which she says enables strong relationships to develop between families, children and teachers.
“Financially we can’t continue, and at some point we would start to lose money. It just gets too hard and that’s why we’re closing down.
“The feedback since saying we’re closing down has been really heartwarming – including from parents who had children here 15 years ago.”
Lynda has been in early childcare since she left school and at 23-years-old was head teacher at a centre in Christchurch.
“When I look now at childcare centres with more than 100 children, I wouldn’t want to be in charge!”
At BabySpace, she increased the age to three as regulations and teacher ratios changed, then up to five to survive as a business, with a lot more time spent ticking boxes.
“All those things I really value, I can’t offer any more and stay viable. I can’t go any bigger here and it isn’t in my heart to do that either.”
She employs five teachers either part-time or full-time and says some have already found work.
It is her teachers, as well as children and their parents, she will miss the most when she closes the centre’s door for the last time.
“It’s the relationship with these amazing teachers – two have been with me since we opened – and the families. Being able to watch the children grow.
“I got to do what I love doing.”
She intends to continue working with children, either doing relief work in early childcare centres or working with special-needs children.
The centre is too small to sell in today’s early-childcare environment, so Lynda and her husband intend to turn the bungalow-style building back into a home or use it as commercial premises.
