Noelle Sadinsky and her partner Rob have a 3 year old son, Jasper, and a beautiful brand new baby boy called Cruz.
Rob and Noelle both run their own businesses.
Noelle Sadinsky
C4K: What's your work set up and how did you find going back to work and the ongoing juggle?
NS: I run my own online business, Fridge-to-Go which is an 8-hour cooler bag - brilliant for babies and kids (and anyone who eats!) (see this month’s competition). I work 3½ days per week so Jaz is only in part time daycare.
Because I have flexibility with work our life feels relatively balanced and we make sure there's always time to play and chill out together. Using my own Fridge-to-Go bags with my son since birth (for expressed milk) and then my whole mother's group bought them when the kids started solids at 6 months, has been a brilliant marketing journey as I share my own experiences and discover that many mums are having similar issues and challenges. It’s so nice to be able to help other parents to keep food and drinks cold so they’re eating healthy food and it's one less thing for them to worry about. Having Jasper in long daycare a few days per week enables me to run a business and fit a week's work into 3 days. When the new baby arrives, we know this will change the dynamics and feel pretty equipped to figure it out as we go – luckily with my own business I can have a baby in tow when necessary!
C4K: How did you come up with your business idea?
NS: My partner came across Fridge-to-Go products at a trade show in Hong Kong and loved them, so it made sense to set me up and see what I could do with it in Australia as he was already busy with his own business (although he does assist in many aspects of the business).
I was on a year's maternity leave, so started the business while I was on leave (about 6 months into it) and also had a full time employee to assist getting things up and running without having to be available 24/7.
I have been really lucky and really enjoy my business and getting back to using my brain and being an independent person again in the business world beyond just being Jasper's mum and since I can work part time and from home at odd hours it's very suitable to being a mum and being there for my family.
C4K: What is your child care set up?
NS: Jasper has been in long daycare at Dee Why Kindergarten, initially for 2 days per week from 1 year old and since 1½ has been going for 3 days. He now attends a French pre-school one morning a week as well which he loves and is only 5 children at once so he gets lots of attention. The combination of care is wonderful as it helps him deal with social situations and learns to share, etc.
C4K: What were you looking for in your child care arrangement (main priorities, requirements etc).
NS: My main requirements for day care for Jasper has been the staff and the fact that they've been at the centre for a while and they're also affectionate and give kids cuddles and attention which they need unconditionally. Jasper's centre is very new so the building, toys, systems, etc are all quality with attention to detail and they're always open to suggestions to improve things.
C4K: How did you find your child care and was it a difficult process?
NS: I had Jasper's name down at about 5 different centres I'd researched through Careforkids.com.au and also asked friends for referrals as this is very effective. Jaz's childcare was close to home and they had a spot available so we were lucky that we got in and then juggled a bit to finally get the days we wanted.
C4K: What would you do differently if you were looking for child care again?
NS: I don't know that I'd do anything different.
C4K: What are the main benefits of your child care arrangement?
NS: Having my son in a good child care centre that he loves gives both my partner and I peace of mind and let's us set a good example for him of working hard and doing things you believe in and you can accomplish anything. Not having to worry about his well being is brilliant as with 2 businesses on the go, we have plenty of other things constantly on the boil!
C4K: Have you any amusing or heart-warming child care anecdotes?
NS: Jasper's day care is really forward thinking and well rounded as they have had Aboriginal dancers come in and perform along with the local fire fighters, they have regular dress up days and BBQs for parents and even grandparents/special people morning tea so the whole family gets involved and you get to know the staff and other kids and parents well which adds to the community feeling we love.
C4K: Any other comments about child care in general/your experiences/gripes or praise?
NS: It's VERY expensive and perhaps this drives us even more to use the time when Jasper's in day care to be efficient and make good use of the time. In saying that, the carers are brilliant and deserve to be well paid and looked after, so I guess it goes hand in hand.
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