This National Family Day Care week, BFDC educator Alana McCallum tell us why the vibe of Family Day Care enticed her to switch from a mainstream daycare setting.
Alana McCallum’s days are filled with the sound of children’s laughter, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
The early childhood educator made the switch from a long daycare setting to Bendigo Family Day Care (BFDC) a year ago and hasn’t looked back.
“[Having] freedom, work and family life balance, having my kids home during the school holidays, the ability to go to their school events and miss out less, the list goes on,” she says of her favourite things about being a BFDC educator. “As a mum these things are so important to me.
“But, as an educator, now I get to actually be with the kids properly, encouraging their learning and developments.
“Our days together are busy too! We love being outside, sandpit digging and running races are happening always! We love dance parties inside too. We are also really into cafes now, so we are constantly making cups of tea and cookies. We also love heading out and about when we can, visiting different places around Bendigo – different parks, Parkys and the Discovery Centre are our favourites. Then, after lunch we rest and have quiet time.”
It was the “vibe” of the Family Day Care setting that enticed Alana to reach out to BFDC after 15 years in mainstream daycares.
“It’s a more intimate setting,” she explains. “It’s less like a daycare and more like just being with family and friends.
“I still follow a program that aligns with the current Early Years Learning framework, and support each child’s individualised development and goals, but the setting does give different opportunities with one-to-one care and lesser ratios to provide a more inclusive space. This is helpful especially for children who may struggle with having different educators and large groups of children.
“Having a smaller group of children means I can give everyone the attention and care they deserve. I want my children, and their families, to feel like I am an extension of their lives; that my place is a second home and a second family.”
National Family Day Care Week is on now (May 4-10) and Alana has just one more thing to add:
“I love my job,” she says. “Being with the kids and enjoying life with them is what I love the most. Teaching them things and helping them develop into their own little people is the most rewarding thing.
“Bendigo Family Day Care has been nothing but amazing with my transition from mainstream daycare to the FDC setting too, the support and guidance I constantly get is incredible.”
Bendigo Family Day Care has openings available in the following locations:
Longlea: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Available from 8am-5pm.
Epsom: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday. Suitable for a child aged 2 years and above. Available 8am-5pm.
Kangaroo Flat: Monday. Suitable for a child aged 2 years and above.
Heathcote: Friday.
Wedderburn: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.
If you’re a family, or an educator, thinking about making the change from a mainstream childcare centre to a home environment, get in contact via our website. https://bchs.com.au/…/chil…/bendigo-family-day-care/