Teddy Bear Corner assistant manager Mariah Stringer with owner Tania Hyde.
Camera IconTeddy Bear Corner assistant manager Mariah Stringer with owner Tania Hyde. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Teddy Bear Corner: Yangebup PS has new out-of-school-hours care service

Bryce LuffCockburn Gazette

YANGEBUP Primary School has a new out-of-school-hours care (OSHC) service, with a local team opening its doors this week.

Former provider Helping Hands stopped its service at the school in June because attendances were only about half what was needed to make it viable.

But parents searching for a similar option now have one, with Hamilton Hill-based Teddy Bear Corner Child Care (TBCCC) expanding to fill the void left at the Moorhen Drive facility.

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Teddy Bear Corner OSHC Club Yangebup will run a morning program from 6.30-9am while the afternoon element will run 3-6pm.

It will also operate a morning pick-up and afternoon drop-off bus service and will introduce a holiday program, which has proven popular at TBCCC’s other OSHC club at Hilton Primary School.

TBCCC owner Tania Hyde said she was keen to expand after hearing how parents would struggle when the previous service ceased operation.

“I have an eight-year-old and a five-year-old, so I understand how difficult it is to work and find child care as well, so I felt for the parents, particularly during school holidays,” she said.

Despite Helping Hands closing due to low numbers, Ms Hyde said she was confident her family-owned and managed operation would work.

She said an investment in a new bus, which could cost anywhere between $15,000 second hand or $35,000 new, was a sign she was in it “for the long term”.

“It might be a bit slow going to start with because a lot of the families have moved to other centres and they might be happy there,” she said. “But given time and people knowing we’re there, that we’re open, and the service we’re providing, we’re confident that children and families will come.”

Yangebup Progress Association president Chontelle Sands said she was pleased to see the school, the P & C, the community and TBCCC had come together to offer parents options.

“One of the biggest things now is to make people aware it’s operating and everything it offers,” she said.

Yangebup Primary School was sought for comment.

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