New after-school and holiday care set up for Timaru families
Families left scrambling by the closures of two Timaru after-school care businesses have been handed a lifeline by a South Canterbury woman with 20 years’ experience in the childcare industry.
Mash, which ran an after-school programme at Gleniti School, closed on March 8, while Skids, at Waimataitai School, will close tomorrow, leaving families scrambling to organise alternative arrangements.
Seeing “a huge gap in the community for working families’’, Katrina Mawhinney will open Katrina’s Afterschool Time Solutions (KATS) on April 3.
“It is important to have after-school care for families for many reasons,’’ she said.
Being a single parent who had worked when her child was younger, Mawhinney said she knew “how much families want, need and value a safe, fun and friendly place for their children to be cared for, for the later hours of the day’’.
“Because of this – and with the support of my family, especially my brother ... I would not have been able to do this without his help and support – I had the courage to give it a go to see if it was possible.’’
She had worked in after-school care for the past four years and was excited about her new business.
“I am proud to have been raised in the region and part of the local community for most of my life, as I have lived and raised my child here.
“I have 20 years’ experience working with children in many facilities, from 6 months old to 13-year-olds.
“I am passionate about working with children and their families and for having this service available to as much of the community as I possibly can.’’
Mawhinney would offer after-school care when she opened, and would offer a holiday programme for the upcoming school holidays, which would start on April 15.
She would be based at the Waimataitai School Hall and hoped to offer a collection service from other schools pending finding a suitable vehicle to use, she said.
While she was yet to set up a website, those wanting to contact Mawhinney could email her at kmawhinney101@gmail.com.