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 our Family Day Care team would love to introduce you to some of our amazing educators.
We thank each and every one of our educators, both past and present!
Today, let's meet .....
Sue Harkins
Sue is a strong, well-known personality in the Longlea/Axedale area.
A valuable member of the Axedale CFA as a volunteer firefighter and the bridgade's Communications and Community Engagement Officer.
Juggling being the 'CEO' of her family business Harkins Electrical, she is definitely a busy woman.
Sue’s unique farm environment and bush setting provides children with the wonders of living on a hobby farm adjacent to the magnificent Wellsford State Forest.
In the time we have known Sue, we have enjoyed sheep, lambs, pigs, cows, guinea pigs, dogs, kangaroos, wallabies and a mighty huge python!
Sue offers the warm knee of a loving Nan and Mum and has cuddles on offer for all her children over the 26 years!
We asked Sue to reflect on her time with Bendigo Family Day Care:
How long of you been working for Bendigo FDC?
I’ve been registered with Bendigo FDC since 1995, predominantly full-time with all age groups.
School holidays are especially fun with the school age children in care!
Why did you choose to start an FDC service?
I wanted to be at home with my own children and be available to them when they came home from school.
My background has always been childcare as I worked in a creche in Balaclava and at the age of 18 I was working in a Residential Home for displaced children.
When my family came along it was time to settle things down and be available and I’ve never regretted it.
What do you find most rewarding about being a family day care educator?
I love seeing the children grow and develop and I find it so rewarding to be a part of that.
It’s been a pleasure to have the children and families in my home and exploring the cycle of life with many generations and species of animals on the property.
Do you have a funny story or saying that you've heard from a child in your care?
Years ago, as I was driving past the White Hills Cemetery when one of the children pointed out the window and said: “That’s where Dad got Mum’s flowers for Mother’s Day”.
After a bit of a chuckle I did some further investigation of this potential grave robber and found that they had recently attended a Flower Stall at the entrance as a fund raiser and Dad bought the flowers with Mum.
No need to call the police!
What advice would you give someone thinking about becoming an educator?
I would encourage potential educators to think about how you will best use your home, how to keep things simple and not spend heaps of money on resources.
Children love your time and free play and you’ve always got the open natural environment to guide you.
Being a FDC educator is such a rewarding job. Yes, you have your ups and downs but the office are a great help and I have built lifelong friendships as I’ve gone along and it was perfect for my family.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful memories Sue.
Meet more of our wonderful FDC educators
We will introduce another child care educator from the team each day this week to celebrate National Family Day Care Week.
To read the stories of more of our featured FDC educators click here
If you would like to learn more about becoming an FDC educator please contact our FDC team via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 5406 1382.
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.