Dunedin early childhood educators have banded together to support children, parents and educators affected by the liquidation of Easy Mind home-based child care.
The organisation employed 60 people and cared for the children of up to 200 families in Otago and Southland before going into liquidation this month.
The initial plan was to sell the operations, but liquidators could not complete a deal fast enough for the South Island assets, it was announced on Sunday.
A Dunedin parent, who did not want to be named, said he was in the process of finding care for his 6-month-old son after his educator told him Easy Mind's South Island services would cease.
He was "pretty gutted" about the liquidation as his son was enjoying the educator he had and was doing well.
Applications had been placed with other home-based organisations in Dunedin and he hoped to find a spot, he said.
Dunedin Community Childcare Association director Jo Ellis said educators were collaborating "to do the best we can to place children and families".
Easy Mind educators had taken a "proactive" approach and had contacted the association on behalf of parents, looking for spaces in one of its 48 homes.
"The educators have been wonderful because they are taking some of the stress off the parents."
While each situation would depend on the child and family, Ms Ellis said, "We will be able to take on kids."
She was also in the process of employing educators.
Wild Things director Susan Phua said the organisation had been busy fielding calls from parents and educators and had accommodated "a number" of them.
Licensing restraints meant "limited spaces" were available for educators now, but she encouraged families to contact the organisation.
Origins manager Joy Waters said "heaps" of calls had been received from educators seeking to join the organisation and bring their children with them.
But the chances of that happening were "slim".
"We are just putting everybody off at the moment."
With co-ordinators on holiday, she was just taking names and numbers and would contact people later.
National home-based child-care provider Porse is also preparing to pick up any shortfall.
The company announced recently it would "fast track" the opening of centres in Dunedin and Queenstown.
Managing director Jenny Yule said it had always been in the annual plan to expand into Otago, but Easy Mind's liquidation provided an opportunity to do it sooner.
A launch was expected early next month and educator recruitment had begun.
