It's National Family Day Care Australia Week.
A time to celebrate the unique and valuable contribution the family day care sector makes for families, children and the community.
The theme for this year is 'Every Child Is A Star' and there are more than 107,000 children in Family Day Care across Australia.
Our Bendigo Family Day Care team wants to celebrate the diversity, knowledge, passion and dedication the FDC educators provide in City of Greater Bendigo and Loddon Shire.
We are lucky to have FDC educators that have been with us for over 30 years and some only three weeks.
To recognise National Family Day Care Week we'd love to introduce you to some of our amazing educators.
We thank each and every one of our educators, both past and present!
First up, let's meet .....
Jo Morris - Heathcote
How long of you been working for Bendigo Family Day Care?
I started FDC in 1992 when it was with the Shire of McIvor which then transitioned to Bendigo Regional FDC.
Why did you choose to start an FDC service?
I had been looking after children privately in Melbourne before we moved to country VIC.
My then two children were five and three years old. The older was in kinder so continuing in child care was the perfect solution to allow me to be employed and also be home for my children. Soon after applying to be an educator, I discovered that baby number three was on the way and knew that I had made the right decision for me and my family. It was also a great way to meet families in our new community.
What do you find most rewarding about being a family day care educator?
It has been absolute pleasure to have cared for so many wonderful, unique children over the years.
It is a great honour to be entrusted to help nurture and inspire the children.
I have even been so fortunate to be now caring for those children's children!
Jo lives on land and animals are popular with the children she cares for.
Do you have a funny story or saying that you've heard from a child in your care?
There have been many funny moments over the years but the most recent that I still chuckle about is when Master Five questioned me using hand cream. After explaining that I was putting it on my hands to keep my skin soft and prevent my skin from cracking Master 5 replied without blinking an eye: "You should take a shower; you’re looking old this week "
What advice would you give someone thinking about becoming an educator?
Be kind to yourself, it's OK to ask questions, make mistakes and try things out. This is how we all learn.
Thanks Jo for sharing your thoughts and memories with us.
Please note: Jo has some vacancies in the Heathcote area at the moment. If you need child care please contact our team by email via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 5406 1382.
Meet more of our wonderful childcare educators
We will introduce another child care educator from the team each day this week to celebrate National Family Day Care Week.
To meet more of our wonderfuleducators like Jo click here
RELATED INFORMATION
Learn more about our Family Day Care program and how we can help you click here
Family Day Care team earns State Government recognition for Achievement Program click here
Bendigo Day Care - take the time to say thank you to Early Childhood Educators click here
Last updated: May 2021.