Child carers taking the LEAD

WHEN the squeeze is on and mum’s trying to buy last-minute Christmas presents at the Maryborough markets, she needn’t resort to locking her little darlings in the stocks.

Over the Christmas holidays, the Thursday markets will be offering a child minding service to give Fraser Coast parents the opportunity of a few hours of peaceful shopping.

Tom McIntosh, Fraser Coast Regional Council Event Support Officer, said the initiative was in response to requests from parents keen to ensure the market experience was enjoyable for them and their children.

“Children will enjoy the markets for a while but shopping can wear thin for them,” he said.

“And especially at this time of the year, mum and dad might also want to shop away from prying little eyes.”

The child minding service will be run by LEAD Childcare, a family operated company based on Saltwater Creek Road, catering for children aged six weeks to 12 years old.

The centre courtesy bus will collect the children from the Maryborough markets, take them to the centre for a fun-filled morning and then return them to the markets at an agreed time.

Child minding will cost $5 an hour per child and parents need to fill in an enrolment form and provide a healthy snack for each child.

Telephone LEAD Childcare on 4123 4856.