What turns a medical scientist at Southern Community Laboratories into an early childhood education provider?
A lack of hours in a day, says Angela Spek.
Mrs Spek and her husband Paul are building their own early learning centre in Green Island, a private facility called CrackerJax, which they expected to open in July.
She said inspiration for the idea came when she wanted to put her two children into child care so she could return to work part-time.
But the only care available in the area was in kindergartens, which ran sessional hours, she said.
"We decided there was a need for a facility which would provide parents with the hours they require so they can work the hours they need.
"These days, a lot of families need two incomes to survive. So it's important to have a facility like this."
Mrs Spek said the CrackerJax Early Learning Centre would be open from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, and would cater for up to 40 children aged up to 5 years.
The centre was already taking enrolments, and half of the places available had been taken, she said.
"I've noticed an increase in the number of young families in the Green Island area.
"So there's definitely demand for it."
