Nanna's family child care page

NANNA'S HOME FAMILY CHILD CARE (A dream for the future?) Occasional/Casual/Irregular Care

In my work as Coordinator of the "Aussie Childcare Network" Family Child Care Service (now closed because of unfair Government guidelines which prevented the service from operating in a fair and competitive trading environment), it became obvious to me that there is a great need in this area for family child care available on a casual or occasional basis for families who work shift work hours or who have jobs where they are 'on call' or 'casual' and work irregular days and hours. Other child care services - centres and Government funded family day care schemes - appear to be unable or unwilling to offer such care.

With no children now living at my home, and with my training, skills and understanding of quality in child care, I have been thinking that I could offer a service that might help fill this gap for some families.

At the moment, as we are about to sell our home, it is not appropriate to consider starting such a service. But, when I am finally in my new home....................?

CHILD CARE PHILOSOPHY

I believe that children need to be cared for in an environment which provides them with physical and emotional security, opportunities for healthy growth, learning and development of the skills they need both in the present and for the future.

I believe that parents are responsible for their children’s health and well-being and should be consulted and their wishes respected in all areas of their children’s care.

QUALITIES AND SKILLS OF A GOOD CHILD CARE PROVIDER

Child care providers, like everyone else, come in all shapes and sizes, ages and nationalities, colours and creeds. I believe that good child care providers have some qualities of character and skills that are common to them all.

This is what I believe a good child care provider will be like:

Personal Qualities:

Experienced with children. Interested in children. Enjoys being with children. Has concern for the welfare of children. Mature and responsible. Flexible. Tolerant of other people’s lifestyles. Patient.A good listener to adults and children. Understands the importance of confidentiality.

Skills in child care:

Interacts positively with children, showing respect and understanding of their needs.

Supports the language development of children through communication appropriate to the children’s level of development.

Encourages the children’s interest and understanding of the world around them by stimulating curiosity, exploration and creative thinking.

Guides children’s behaviour through a range of developmentally appropriate strategies.

Maintains an awareness of the growth, development and interests of individual children through regular, accurate observations.

Provides a variety of developmentally appropriate activities and experiences, both planned and incidental.

Maintains developmentally appropriate routines.

Demonstrates professional standards of behaviour, attitudes and skills.

Promotes and provides a safe environment.

These would be the guiding principles by which I would provide child care if and when "Nanna's Home Family Child Care" opens for business.

I'd appreciate your comments and thoughts.Back to Nanna's Homepage

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