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This week we are delighted to introduce you to Sharon Robson an educator supported by the Wynnum Family Day Care and Education Service in Brisbane, Qld.
What is your industry background and career experience?
I have been working in Early Childhood for 15 years. I started Family Day Care when my son was two years old so I could be with my own children and still have a career, after an initial seven years at Family Day Care and both my children at school I decided to try a Long Day Care Centre which during that time I obtained my Certificate III in Children's Services and gained an incredible amount of experience with different age groups of children.
After four years I returned to Family Day Care, as this is where my true passion lies. Providing a complete service to my families from promoting my service, choosing my own clients, establishing lasting relationships and supporting and developing the learning of the children in my care, is why I love family day care. It allows me to deliver a high quality care and education to families in a home environment, supported by a service that has achieved the highest rating of Excellent by ACECQA.
Why have you chosen to have a Family Day Care business over being an employee in another service type?
I decided and know that educating and caring for children is my passion yet I wanted to run my own business, I enjoy having control of all facets of running a successful Child Care Service and wanted to be responsible for all the different areas from interviewing and selecting new families into my business to being accountable for each child’s learning and development, admin and documentation.
I gain flexibility with my hours and my own teenage children love being part of younger children’s lives, there is such a great benefit for my children having their mother at arm’s reach when they walk into the home each afternoon. It’s a wonderful balance between being a mother and having a career.
What does a typical day include?
We are always very busy discovering the world around us and trying new and different things as well as following the interests of children. On a typical day our program has a great balance of home activities and an opportunity to attend events around our community covering both indoor and outdoor activities, some of these events are organised and paid for by our scheme such as a sports program, music, yoga and art sessions, special shows etc, and other venues we like to visit regularly is the local library as it has many educational and fun sessions full of stories rhymes and art in a group setting.
Sometimes our days are spontaneous and we follow an interest that has come from one of the children, flexibility and being aware of the children’s needs is always a consideration every day. I follow the Early Years Learning Framework and plan our days and weeks to maintain a good balance of Belonging, Being and Becoming.
Whilst we are a small family in my home we have opportunities to belong to larger groups and play sessions with the varied outside activities we participate in, children have built many successful relationships with peers and other adults at regular outings and excursions.
How did you choose a service?
Wynnum Family Day Care was recommended to me by other colleagues in the sector, when I met with the co-ordinators there was such a professional and friendly approach to their business, we are all part of a team, everyone has a role to play and I could tell they wanted to think outside the box and be leaders in their field.
Working from home, how do your ensure you are part of the bigger team?
There is a big support network accessible to all educators through our LINK Program, this not only gives children the opportunity to be part of a bigger group setting it also encourages networking between educators in the service at regular outings and excursions. I have the support of Wynnum Family Day Care coordination unit that visit on regular scheduled visits and attend professional development training sessions organised by our service. Educators with Wynnum Family Day Care also have the opportunity to be part of a variety of committees that organise events and make decisions affecting the service.
What are some of the biggest challenges facing Family Day Care?
The biggest challenge is how family day care is portrayed in the media of late. Unfortunately there are services that are not meeting the benchmarks. However, Wynnum Family Day Care has had the opportunity to showcase our service and highlight the wonderful programs and opportunities available to families within our community.
Our aim is to maintain the same level of service delivery to educators, children and families without increasing the service levies beyond affordability. The forward planning and vision of what an early childcare education and service can be has resulted in Wynnum Family Day Care being a service of choice.
How does your program engage children within the local community?
We have available the LINK Program which has organised outings and activities to local venues including libraries, parks and community Day Care Centres and Schools. Playgroup sessions are on offer throughout the year through Playgroup Qld. Children meet their local librarians, local emergency workers like Police, Fire and Ambulance persons.
Children in my service attend some events at a local school on special occasions this gives children the opportunity to build further relationships and make connections about the community around them.
How do you implement strategies that enhance the development of children who require early intervention and support?
Wynnum Family Day Care scheme has established a very successful Child Development Initiative that enables children to have access to Speech and Occupational Therapist. Regular training is available to educators and families on these relevant topics from professionals in these fields. Wynnum Family Day Care offers one on one learning support visits from a degree qualified co-ordinator skilled to provide resources and strategies to enhance the development of children that require support.
I can speak from experience on how this has made a difference to so many young children and their families being able to access specialised therapy through their Family Day Care Home at no extra cost to families. The impact this early intervention has had is changing children’s lives and giving families and educators support and strategies to enhance their child’s development.
Running your own FDC business how do you access professional development?
I have access through organised training to many different child care and child development topics to enhance my professional development. Wynnum Family Day Care have some compulsory training that I am required to do, sometimes this is done during co-ordinator visits in my own home, goals are set each year with a co-ordinator during a scheduled annual audit, this allows me to choose what area of training or professional development I require and need. The coordination unit emails weekly newsletters which often include links to professional development opportunities or information.
What advice would you offer to an early childhood educator considering starting their own FDC business?
If child care is your passion you will not be disappointed in setting up your own business in Family Day Care, the things you need to consider is your home becomes your workplace and it is beneficial to set boundaries for families and your own family for a successful business. Consider your space and how you envisage where children can play, learn and discover in a safe and secure environment. Manage your time effectively to implement planning, evaluating and documenting children’s learning whilst they are in your service. Nurturing a child through their early years of learning is a partnership you have with their family, every child is unique and special and it is the most rewarding career to see children grow over a period of years; it is a privilege to be chosen by a family to care for their child.
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