|
This week we introduce you to Karene-Lee Janke a Family Day Care Educator supported by Wynnum Family Day Care and Education Service, Brisbane.
What is your industry background and career experience?
I have been working in Early Childhood for 18 years now. Initially I worked part time at a child care centre while I was studying my Bachelor of Education at University. Since then I have worked in centres, schools and special education settings.
Why have you chosen to have a Family Day Care business over being an employee in a child care centre?
I have chosen to be a family day care educator over working in a school or centre setting because at my stage of life with my own young children it is a wonderful balance between mother and career. It allows me to do what I am passionate about as well as care for my own family. The majority of children who come to our home each day have been coming for almost three years, therefore I have a real connection with each child and their family. I love being able to see each child grow and develop over the years, you don't often get that privilege in a centre or school setting as classes change each year.
What does a typical day include?
Since starting FDC almost three years ago I don't think I have ever had two days the same! One of the benefits of family day care is that I can have a strong connection with each child in care and I can be spontaneous and extend on children's interests as they happen. I follow the Queensland Kindergarten Guidelines as well as the Early Years Learning framework so we are always busy discovering the world around us!
While I work from home my days can also involve interaction with other educators and children through home play sessions as well as the scheme playgroup that happens twice a week. A sample of a routine part of our day includes taking my own children to school as well as school age children that attend for before and after school care. The benefit of this to the younger children in care is that they become familiar with the school setting and this helps them in their preparations for school readiness.
How did you choose a service?
I researched which family day care services were available in my area and it became evident that Wynnum family day care is passionate about providing an exceptional level of care to children as well as to their families. Wynnum goes above and beyond with initiatives like the Child Development Initiate that allows all children in the Wynnum service to have access to an Occupational Therapist and Speech Therapist. They also provide regular training to parents and educators on relevant topics.
Working from home, how do your ensure you are part of the bigger team?
Family day care is not something that you could do effectively on your own without support. Wynnum family day care service is only a phone call away and I rely on them heavily for ideas, advice and support. There is a coordination unit of 13 staff and 90 educators who are the extended team for me. Although isolated in location, (I can't just pop into the next room to talk to another team member), support is easily accessed by scheduled visits, arrangement of play dates or attending a playgroup. There are also many online resources that I regularly use for ideas and other educators are a wonderful wealth of information as well.
Running your own FDC business how do you access professional development?
Family day care is great because I can choose my own area of professional interest and follow it. Wynnum Family Day Care provides support in this. Since I have started FDC I have done a number of professional development courses mainly focusing on children's resilience and healthy eating and learning support.
What advice would you offer to an early childhood educator considering starting their own FDC business?
I feel that family day care really is the best type of early childhood education setting. Providing a unique personalised service to only four under school age children in care each day means that a child in FDC receives a special connection to their educator where the focus is on each child's individual strengths. FDC allows an educator to extend on the children's interests as they happen. My advice to another early childhood educator considering FDC would be if you are passionate about Early Childhood Education it is a wonderful career.
|
