For Angela Lloyd there’s no place like home, and that’s exactly the type of environment she strives to provide for the families she looks after.
As well as being an educator in the family day care space, Angela also sent her children to Bendigo Family Day Care when they were young, the benefits of which she still sees today.
“The relationships they built have lasted,” she tells. “For example, my son, who is 22 now, was in family day care and he went right through until he finished primary school and he had the same educator the whole time. She’s just like an auntie to him.
“Theirs is a really strong bond and it’s because of the time he spent in her home, and so is his relationships with the other kids he was in care with too; they’ve gone through daycare and school together.”
Angela has explored all avenues of the early childhood industry in her 25-year career, most recently working for the Department of Education, but she’s recently been drawn back to family day care.
“It’s hard work but was an easy choice to come back to family day care and be an educator again,” she says. “It’s the flexibility that has brought me back to it, not just for me, but for parents too. I have the flexibility to make my own hours, and to be able to respond to what families need.”
Angela is a big believer that parents can get as much out of family day care that children do. That comes down to having secure relationships and getting to know not just their child but the parents too.
“Parents deserve to be the best they can be so their children can thrive,” she says. “Building trust and understanding what parents want for their children and helping them achieve that is part of what I do… I want to be someone they can bounce ideas off.
“It’s important to me that parents see how I interact with their child because it shows them that trust that everyone needs. That then gives parents the ability to have the time they need for themselves with no worries.”
With space for children to explore all the nooks and crannies, both inside and out, Angela has once again opened her home, and while it may only be three days a week, those three days are joyous and filled with organic learning opportunities.
“I like to be outside with the kids, especially the little ones,” she tells with a smile. “I love watching them see everything… looking up at the sky and trying to understand what it is that they’re observing – the change of the breeze or a bird in the sky – it’s just a beautiful thing to see them sitting there and absorbing everything.
“Play is an extension of life and in a family day care environment I’ve found there’s more natural opportunities to support a child’s development as they’re exposed to day-to-day living and participating as a member of a household, which can help with developing self-sufficiency in a fun way as well as helping to care for others.”
With her career coming full circle for now and providing just as much fulfilment and flexibility as ever, Angela’s advice to those considering starting their own home-based business is short and sweet.
“Definitely do it,” she says. “Being an early childhood educator really becomes part of your life and it’s so worthwhile… you’re helping raise the future.
“Bendigo Family Day Care has been a really supportive service with a knowledgeable team and that’s what you want to have around you, no matter how experienced you are.”
May 5-11 is National Family Day Care Week and may just be the perfect time to make a change. For more information on joining our supportive network email or fill in our Prospective Educator enquiry form.
Angela has current vacancies within her service, please call Bendigo FDC on 5406 1382 if you would like to meet Angela and perhaps secure a position.
