Mission Australia took over the centre in June and brought with it a new business philosophy.

At its peak last year, the centre was catering for almost 90 children. It is considered a good day now if only 30 children come there.

So Mission Australia is hoping that more children will come there.

Centre director Palma Tette, who has been at the centre for three years, said it had been a tumultuous time for the centre's parents and staff early this year when they were waiting to what was going to happen to the centre.

``It had a big impact,'' she said. ``For about eight months we didn't know if it was going to stay open or close. Unfortunately, we did lose some families, but a lot also stayed loyal.''

Mission Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. It takes pride in the fact that its early learning services put revenue back into the centre rather than into shareholders' pockets.

Rachel Godwin, who had a son at the centre when it was owned by ABC and now has two sons at the centre, said she was happy with the transition to the new owners.

``The standards have remained extremely high, and the staff is fantastic,'' Ms Godwin said.