Casual childcare survives on love
THE only remaining occasional children’s care centre in Townsville credits much of its success to being adaptable, having great staff and providing large doses of pure and simple love.
The Riverview Play Centre at Kirwan celebrates 25 years of operation this month.
“Our priority has always been to create a loving environment that meets the needs of the community,” centre director Kay McGovern said.
“We’ve had to change and grow with local families over this time,”
“When we began, parents wanted their children to be socialised at day care.
“Now they’re looking for them to receive an educational experience as well so that’s just one change that we’ve embraced.”
Ms McGovern, who has served the Uniting Church- sponsored organisation for 22 years, said having a dedicated team made Riverview a special place.
“Parents always tell me that they feel like our staff love their children as much as their children love us,” she said. “Our staff turnover is very low. “There are families who stay with us because not only does one child get to know and love our team but over the years the same staff members are still here looking after the younger siblings.”
Ms McGovern said they believed in providing affordability and flexibility for families.
“We don’t charge for public holidays and, as the last occasional day care centre in Townsville, we pride ourselves on giving parents somewhere to drop their kids off during doctor’s appointments, job interviews or, for our many defence families, day care while one parent is away.
“We will always provide a loving, Christian environment for the children.
“We have parents that we’ve cared for all of their children and they tell us the centre is a second home for their family.
“That is the best feedback we could possibly get.”