Parents of children in childcare know the struggle is real when you first embark on your childcare journey. There’s so much to consider, so many reasons to fight yourself for relinquishing the care of your baby even for a couple of hours a week let alone days at a time.
Will they miss me? Who will cuddle them if they’re hurt? Can I get to them quickly if I need to? Are they going to have fun? Will they make friends?
These are only a few of the more emotional questions you ask yourself before you even touch on the practicalities. Things like:
- How much will it cost me?
- What Childcare Subsidy will I receive?
- Do I qualify for Family Tax Benefit Part A or Part B?
- Should the service be close to my work?
- What learning philosophy is in place?
- What level of experience and qualifications do the educators have?
- What is the service's approach to child discipline and behaviour management?
- What is the daily routine and activities provided?
- Does the service provide food, nappies, and bottles?
…and the list goes on!
When you talk to a parent of a child with additional needs, the list gets even longer! Thankfully, we are in an amazing place with incredible educators that can put every parent’s list of worries to rest.
We chatted with Dan from Nino Early Learning Adventures to discuss the additional needs of some families.
“Educators are looking after children with disabilities or diabetes or things that they need just to function as themselves. And that responsibility, that weight is not always recognised in a way that honours the people that do the work. It is a big deal. It is a big job. And I believe that it really needs honouring.”
This is personal
As the editor of Care for Kids, this really spoke to me. I myself have Type 1 Diabetes. I had the fortune of a diabetes free childhood, having a late diagnosis in my 30s. That was challenging. It still is. But I cannot imagine the complexities that would come with managing this hideous, chronic disease for my child who cannot always communicate their needs, and then having to trust others to literally keep them alive.
And while we can’t speak for everyone, we thought we’d chat to a few parents of children with Type 1 diabetes in the childcare space. We can tell you Dan, and fellow educator heroes, that you're seen.
Beth and son Charlie
My son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) in August 2022, just after his third birthday.
Kids Cave Childcare welcomed Charlie with open arms and committed to ALL 19 of their staff doing training with our Diabetic Education team out of hours so they were all aware of how to care for him.
Fast track to now and the centre cook and I meet and chat often. We share meals and recipes that Charlie will eat and discuss how to dose insulin for each meal. The staff call me whenever they need reassurance, they help each other learn about T1D and encourage Charlie to just be a kid.
They even bought a little trampoline for Charlie to use when his levels get a bit high!
Lia and daughter Violet
My daughter, Violet was diagnosed at 11 months. She didn’t go to childcare at the time. She’s now 18 months old and has just started attending.
We’ve had to navigate finding a service that would welcome her and all the extra work having T1 entails. From the moment I told the childcare service what we were dealing with, their response was so beautiful that it brought me to tears. It had been such a stress and cause of anxiety for me as I was worried she would be discriminated against and not offered a place.
They have gone above and beyond, sending a large number of their staff, management and even the chef to training with our diabetes educator. They also held her place for three-months until we could get everything in order. It’s actually exceeded all my expectations and we are so thankful!
Mel and son Ashton
As a mum of a Type 1 child, I relied on anyone who had close contact with Ashton. He was placed in the three-four room with educators, Katrina and Marzi. They looked after his food and insulin bolussing on his pump. I taught them everything they needed to watch out for with Ashton's care.
Ashton is the only child with Type 1. He is the third of four children who at the time were all under five!
Our extended family was apprehensive to watch our son as they were always concerned with the serious complications T1D raised. Our educator was happy to take on additional work outside of the childcare service to help our family and support my husband and I to be able to attend special events like weddings or just to have a night of reprieve.
We have been lucky as a family to raise four children. They’re now 18,16,15,14.
Ashton is in year 10 and an amazing young man. Having those people around him to support him has made him live his life like he can do anything. He coaches under 7’s soccer, plays Oz tag, soccer u/16, touch football. He travelled to Italy for soccer 2022 and England 2023, works three nights a week and has his schoolwork to keep up with. He wants to be an electrician or a PE teacher.
I would always suggest you find your support whatever the form it takes. Education is the key to allowing people to understand T1D. Technology has played a big part in looking after our son and letting him live his life to the fullest.
Champion these Champions
Join us as we champion our incredible ECEC Educators. We’re giving parents, service owners, and fellow sector professionals the opportunity to highlight their appreciation for the educators in their lives who are having the greatest impact on families, their community, and the sector as a whole.
Saying 'Thank You,' won't solve every challenge faced by these indispensable professionals, yet it goes a long way to show that we see them, we hear them, and we value each and every one of them.
Six deserving educators across the country will win a luxury weekend away and anyone who nominates has the chance to win a $500 VISA gift card.
Get the kids involved!
Show these champions that we all care and get the kids involved in thanking their educators with a downloadable colouring sheet which can be uploaded here for your chance to win a $250 FUNDAY Sweets voucher. Don't forget to present your special educator with their certificate!
