Centre celebrates

Any minute I have spare I am in my studio.

I’d take out all the speed bumps, in Germany they tried to make the roads as smooth as possible. A Kerikeri childcare centre has been making a point of celebrating its staff for their long service.

Trustee Manager of the Kerikeri Community Childcare Trust Barbara Martin wore a medal around her neck and pictures from her 23 years of working at the centre adorned the walls in a celebration held recently.

The centre, where all profits are returned back into the running of the place, is in its 26th year of operation.

The second Trustee Manager Viv Romero says it was one of the first early childcare centres in the area.

‘‘We run this centre as a family and it is important to celebrate these milestones. I am quite proud for the fact that we are still here.’’

Romero has been at the trust since its inception, with a couple of years off to raise her own children.

Another staff member, Gae, has been working there for 25 years with a number of others racking up over 13 years service.

Romero says she is now looking after the second generation of children in some families with ex pupils enrolling their offspring with the centre.

‘‘It’s the children’s second home and our second home. Some kids think we live here.’’

LOOK WHO’S TALKING Centre staff Helen, Catherine, Bernice, Gae, Barbara, Coral, Louise, Tina and Viv.

‘‘I like how the sea and the bush are so close together. It's not overcrowded and the people are so helpful.’’ Bernhard Riegler