Barnardos Aotearoa is actively addressing the growing gap between childcare demand and supply in Central, working to support families and communities in need.

The not-for-profit organisation reached out to the community earlier this year, calling for people wanting to establish themselves as a home-based carer within the Barnardos network.

That move was prompted by the lack of childcare availability throughout the district, a problem which had prevented some parents from going back to work.

In one particular case, a family spoke to The Central App, explaining how the situation had prompted them to leave the district so the mother could return to the workforce. 

Barnardos Aotearoa visiting teacher Shelley Cornish, who features on The Outlet podcast this week, said the organisation noticed there was a “critical need” for more childcare options in the district about two years ago.

Since then, the organisation has been working on getting more people on board as home-based carers, which included information sessions in Roxburgh, Alexandra, Ranfurly and Wānaka earlier this year.

“The response was positive and since then we’ve continued to receive inquiries all across Central Otago, which is pretty exciting, but we still need more.”

Shelley believed the issue between supply and demand had derived from more people moving to “beautiful Central Otago”.

However, the district lacked the amount of childcare needed to meet that population growth.

She said people were “thrilled to know” Barnardos was working to provide families with another option.

“It’s been really positive. 

“Central Otago is a pretty awesome place to live and raise a family. I think it’s just been the growth in the towns and we’re just wanting to do our best to alleviate demand by recruiting more educators to support those families.”

Visit the Barnardos Aotearoa website to find out more or phone 0800 227 627.

Listen to this week's edition of The Outlet to hear more on the issue.

Read more: In-home educators needed across Central

Read more: Financial pressures force one Central family to leave