Unfortunately they have been put on hold due to the pandemic, but it is still an appropriate time to celebrate the contribution Family Day Care makes to our community.
In Deniliquin, Ruth Landale and Elise Manvill are happy to take this opportunity to sing the praises of the local Family Day Care service provided through Intereach.
‘‘When I returned to work after the birth of my eldest son I wanted to find care for him in a small, family environment rather than in a large day care setting,’’ Ruth said.
‘‘We were incredibly lucky to get a place with Annette via Intereach Family Day Care and it has been one of the best decisions we ever made. Family Day Care provides a nurturing and intimate home environment in which to care for children and our son Bertie has had the best three years with Annette (and Ashlee while Nett was on maternity leave).
‘‘As he has grown and developed, he has been provided with age appropriate play and learning activities and both Annette and Ashlee consistently updated their programs to provide an outstanding range of experiences for all the children in their care. I could not speak more highly of our experiences with Family Day Care and encourage other parents to consider it as an option.’’
During the pandemic many parents, like Elise, have decided their children should stay at home. That is not only a changing scene for Elise, and for daughter Emily, however it has been made easier by her Family Day Care educator Lynda, who has made sure to stay in touch.
‘‘We have been so impressed with the Family Day Care service, and this has continued during the pandemic. Lynda has been making videos for Emily each week, in which she reads books and says ‘hi’. We often follow these with a video call so we all catch up,’’ Elise said.
‘‘Lynda has also made craft packs with lots of activities for Emily to do at home. We have welcomed the way in which Lynda has stayed in touch and been involved.
‘‘Emily loves going to Lynda’s place and often asks if she can go there, so this has helped us all stay connected.’’
During the challenges of COVID-19, Family Day Care educators in the Deniliquin district have been working tirelessly to ensure the needs of families and children are being met. They have continued not only to provide high quality education and care to children of essential workers, but ensured that all enrolled children have had the opportunity to continue to learn through play at home with their families during self-isolation.
Educators have also been engaging in innovative ways to create opportunities for connection and learning through providing families with home learning packs, recorded stories and songs, opportunities to participate in FaceTime and Zoom to ensure connections are maintained between all children that would normally attend, and the children and educator.
For more information about Intereach Family Day Care phone 1300 488 226 or visit www.intereach.com.au.
