Bendigo Family Day Care is working to balance a spike in demand with a drop in educators as increasing numbers of Bendigo parents choose the service over childcare centres.

The local service, which is managed by Bendigo Community Health Services, is calling on more educators to come on board and help meet an unprecedented demand.

Bendigo Family Day Care coordinator Tamarra Tie said there was currently a long and growing waiting list of families hoping to secure a family day care place for their children in 2023 and beyond.

Tamarra said this had come at a time when many educators have recently stepped back from their role, citing pandemic-induced burnout.

“While we have less educators at present, we have parents who are preferring the intimate home-setting of family day care, where illness isn’t as easily spread and coughs and runny noses are more easily managed,” Tamarra said.

Educator Debra Towerton had been working in a childcare centre before deciding to become a Bendigo Family Day Care contractor five years ago. She said the service was in line with her philosophy that it “takes a village to support a happy child”.

The move brought many personal rewards for Debra, including being named the 2022 Family Day Care Australia Regional Educator of the Year for the Bendigo, Goldfields and Macedon Ranges region.

The Excellence in Family Day Care Awards are Australia’s only awards for the sector and recognise the outstanding work of educators, coordinators and services in delivering high quality early childhood education and care.

Debra said it was a shock to even be nominated by the families of children she was caring for.

“It was an honour and privilege,” she said. “When I found out that I was the regional winner, it was a real shock to the system. I think I was a bit gob smacked to be honest!”

As a mother-of-five and grandmother-of-six, Debra has had a lifetime of caring for kids. She has also found time to volunteer with the Kangaroo Flat Fire Brigade for more than 12 years, and pursue a love of craft, resin and acrylic pours, which she also shares with the children.

“I am so pleased I made the decision to leave a centre and start my business from home,’” she said. “It’s been both financially and emotionally rewarding. I’ve felt rewarded simply by being a part of an awesome service that works together to support not only the child but the family.

“Family Day Care is wonderful as you get opportunities for one-on-one with children. You share the good times and the bad. You laugh, cry, share wonderful moments, you even become a kid yourself at times. Over time, you become a part of their family and they a part of yours.”

Tamarra congratulated Debra on the award and a remarkable achievement.

“Debra has been a valued member of our Bendigo Family Day Care community, we are grateful for her experience, dedication and her kind heart, and we know she has meant a lot to the children she has cared for and educated,” Tamarra said.

Tamarra said the service was appreciative of all its educators, and had recently increased the hourly payment to educators in a move to attract and retain more. She encouraged educators with a minimum Certificate III in Children’s Services to enquire about joining the service.

Debra said the professional development she had received through Bendigo Family Day Care had been a rewarding and motivating aspect of her role.

“The support I’ve received is also wonderful,” she said. “’I've never felt alone despite technically working on my own in my home. I’ve run my own business, celebrated my own values and philosophy and could be home with my family too.”

Contact Bendigo Family Day Care to start a rewarding career and help meet the needs of families in the community. For information on the role email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. call 5406 1382 or visit www.bchs.com.au/family-day-care