By Cimara Pearce
A SYDENHAM husband and wife super-team have managed to turn the collapse of the ABC Learning Centre franchise into a positive for a small childcare centre in Sydenham East.
Paul and Andrea Green took over the ABC Learning Centre on the corner of Trickey Ave and Pecks Rd on 14 May after the childcare giant went into receivership, and renamed the facility Little Poppets Childcare.
The couple, who also have two young children, one of whom attends the centre, said they took over with the intention of making the transition easy and smooth for existing families and staff at the centre.
Mrs Green said she and her husband’s experiences in trying to find their own children childcare had led them to the industry.
“We are very excited to be part of so many young children’s lives and to watch them grow and develop,” she said.
“We are a family with young children too …we understand the importance of finding quality care in a caring, loving and nurturing environment with stimulating, fun and educational activities for our children.
“We have been through it ourselves, we draw on that experience and want to provide a centre that gives parents a level of comfort in their day to focus on their work, knowing their children are being well cared for.”
Although some ABC Learning Centre staff lost their jobs during the closures or changes of ownership, Paul and Andrea managed to retain all of the staff from the original centre, with some staff having more than 10 years’ experience in the childcare industry.
“Our motto ‘Love, Learn, Grow and Develop’ encompasses our philosophy for early childhood education,” Mrs Green said.
“We aim to provide a secure caring environment for children, which supports personal growth and motivates continuous development in a friendly, open atmosphere which encourages mutual respect, co-operation and support for children, their families and staff.”
The centre will hold a free open day on 22 August to showcase the changes made to the centre since the change in management.
