page 6

The Creche Lives

Off Campus off-shoots or; Life in Fairlie Terrace or; The University Creche.

The University Creche has been in existence sufficient time to justify historical notice and despite a certain lack of documentation it is possible to trace the development from a small co-operative to the present complex now accommodated in two houses in Fairlie Terrace.

1967: Movements towards starting a creche for the children of students were made some nine years ago. A co-operative group of nine families used the Kelburn Plunket rooms with parents taking turns at caring for one anothers children, and supplying their own equipment.

1968: During this year the creche did not operate as premises were not available we do not know if any parents managed to continue their studies but the concept of a University creche at Victoria stayed alive

1969: The co-operative, now catering for over 30 children, made it clearly apparent that there was a need for a creche. The children were temporarily established in the rugby gym in the Boyd-Wilson Pavilion. We understand the equipment used by the children was that originally supplied by the parents' co-operative.

The University then officially recognized the creche and granted it proper premises - 67 Fairlie Terrace was completely renovated to comply with childcare regulations.

1970: The Fairlie Terrace creche now had 50 student parents enrolled - supplying approximately 55 children. The University had also become financially involved and although parents have often had to negotiate with some determination, it would have to be agreed that over the year this involvement has been substantial.

The University supplied the buildings, paid for the renovations and some equipment Parents fees paid 2 part-time supervisors and the University paid for 1 assistant.

1971: The numbers of parents and children using the creche were 75 and 87 respectively. Numerically this was an impressive increase and movements in officialdom resulted in the creche being incorporated into the Student Welfare Services A creche Advisory Committee was also established - membership being drawn from the Creche Parents' Association, Students' Association and Student Welfare Services. Truly the creche had arrived.

1972: By now the University was paying the salary of a full-time supervisor, the salaries of 3 other staff and University students at peak-time were being paid from parents fees. These fees amounted to $14 per term for one child.

1973: During this year the Students' Association creche was established by a breakaway group who considered childcare should be free. The creche was opened in the memorial theatre of the Student Union building and was financed by Studass, who paid the Supervisor's salary and purchased equipment. Relations between the two creches remained generally amicable despite divided loyalties and costly duplication of equipment. In fact, some parents used both.

Possibly the unsuitability of premises, inflexibility of hours, together with stringent child welfare regulations resulted in the Studass creche's dissolution.

Nevertheless the movement did highlight the need for the expansion of premises at 67 Fairlie Terrace.

1974: This was the 'on again - off again' year of the appropriation of the house at 69 Fairlie Terrace. By the end of the year plans were finalised, work started and the Students Assoc, gave $500 for equipment.

Meanwhile, back at 67 Fairlie Terrace, finances were rocky. A display of desperate 'creche closing down' notices resulted in almost all parents donating $5 (or more) each; whilst 2 or 3 hardy parents rattled collection boxes on campus and raised approximately $200. Parents fees were also increased during the 3rd term.

An enjoyable working-bee and hilarious children's party also occurred, and parents passed exams.

1975: The creche now housed at 67 and 69 had become a set-up of substantial proportions involving about 85 parents and affiliated to the Students' Association as a club (receiving a club grant of $80). The University was paying approx. $ 10 000 (or 60%) of operating costs.

1976: As with many organisations - much of the above account revolves around Money, but there is obviously a great deal more to the creche (past, present and future) than finance and quibbles over who gives what With a roll of 133 children and a toehold on campus it is a worthy and recognisable entity.

Although perhaps seeming to be an outpost of the University complex it is a splendid example of co-operation between the Unviersity the creche parents and the Students' Association.