Home-based childcare is in demand in Dunedin and local operators are undertaking a constant recruitment drive for quality educators to care for children in educators' homes.
Wild Things home-based childcare company managing director Susan Phua started the company 15 years ago with two educators - and now has 35 educators in Dunedin and ''about 100 clients''. She said the majority of her clients worked at the hospital or university.
''We have had some early childhood teachers who have come to us from preschools and felt overwhelmed and like they didn't have enough time for the children,'' Mrs Phua said.
''And more than anything else, children need time.''
According to the Ministry of Education, there were nine licensed home-based childcare services operating in Dunedin in 2005.
In 2009 and 2014 there was a peak of 17 - and this year there were 14 services running. Cara Bradley has been sending her sons William (4) and George (2) to Wild Things educator Monika Gamble for two years.
The Ministry of Education stipulates that licensed educators can look after no more than four children at one time, of whom no more than two can be under 2.
Mrs Gamble cares for three children in her own home five days a week - as well as her 10-month-old daughter Nina.
Her usual hours of operation are 7.30am to 3pm, but these can be adjusted as parents' schedules change.
''I have a degree in educational psychology from Poland and home-based childcare always made the most sense to me from a developmental point of view,'' Mrs Gamble said.
''Children do best in their own home environments with their parents, following their natural schedule and interests. The next best thing to that is replicating the home environment in an educator's home.''
Her relationship with William and George's parents was ''close and family-like'', and when she gave birth to her daughter Nina the two boys were ''as excited as if she were their own sister'', Mrs Gamble said.
Mrs Bradley said her sons thrived on their intimate relationship with Mrs Gamble, and the stimulation and attention they received in her care.
''She's got chickens and animals they play with, and a big, wild garden. They climb trees and run around outside, and do all the things kids should be doing at their age.
''Sometimes when I arrive in the morning Monika has something really interesting or new set out for the boys to play with and learn from ... I don't get time to do those things in my own home. She is very creative.''
The Dunedin Community Child Care Association had been offering home-based and preschool services since 1978, and employed 40 educators, director Penel Pask said.
''It is particularly popular for children under the age of 2 years. The routine of the day in an educator's home is similar to a normal day if the child was at home with their parent.
"The educator can spontaneously take children for a walk or visit to another educator's house, supermarket, library, museum ... This can all be worked around the natural rhythm of a child's day. ''
- Eleanor Ainge Roy
