EDITORIAL Work/Life balance is possible for parents The Shire of Cardinia is currently experiencing expeditious population growth. On average a baby is born every 6 minutes to a Cardinia shire family. With the population expected to more than double over the next 20 years, the demand for child care is high. Costly child care fees often provide no incentive for mums to return to work after parental leave; coupled with the rising costs of living, many first time mums and dads find themselves in a dilemma. Time and again the need to earn an income is non-negotiable, but the thought of leaving their children is difficult, so working from home is now more appealing than ever. “Often parents enter the child care profession as a way of remaining home with their own children while also earning an income through providing quality care for other people’s children,” said Ms Deb de Rossi, Manager for Early Childhood Education and Care Services at Windermere. Windermere’s Family Day Care program offers all the educational benefits of a child care centre or kindergarten, but in a comfortable and nurturing home environment tailored to the needs of each individual child. Recent studies on early year’s development confirms that the most important element in stimulating a child’s learning is strong relationships with significant adults. The home-based Family Day Care program is also appealing for other reasons: the small group sizes and the flexible working hours. “Family day care is often a great career option for families not only because of its flexibility but it can provide a wonderful career path for new mums. We know that more than 50% of our current Family Day Care Educators only moved into the career after having children” said Ms de Rossi. “Time and again, they find the career so rewarding and enriching that they opt to remain in the profession well after their children enter school.” By becoming a Windermere Family Day Care Educator stay at home parents have the opportunity to care for their children, and still have a fulfilling career helping local families in the community and also earn a reasonable income. Windermere Family Day Care Educators can earn on average earning up to $70,000 per year, with some earning much more than that. Garfield-based Educator, Chris Mouser, was always very career orientated, but after having her children she wanted a job that she could do from home whilst her children were young. “When I moved into Family Day Care, it was a five year plan until the kids went back to school. I studied my Certificate III, then my Diploma and Advanced Diploma - fifteen years later my kids have all grown up and I still love my job as an Educator more than anything”, said Ms Mouser. Chris enjoys the flexibility afforded to her by her role as a Family Day Care Educator. She currently works part time, doing what she loves in nurturing and developing children, whilst still earning a reasonable income. Chris is also able to balance her work and her own personal family time together with her love of netball, of which she has a heavy affiliation to the local club.
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Partnering with Windermere as an approved service provider, gives support and credibility to Educators like Chris, allowing them to focus on delivering quality education and care to the children in their program. “Being a Windermere Family Day Care Educator is extremely rewarding. After all these years I still take great pride in providing a nurturing and personalised environment and couldn’t think of doing anything else. It is a privilege to provide a much needed service to the local community and helping families, watching the children develop, grow and evolve is very fulfilling”, said Ms Mouser. For more information on how to start an exciting new career which can complement your love for being at home with your own child, or for more information about Windermere’s Family Day Care program call (03) 9705 3200 or email enquiriesECECS@windermere.org.au. www.windermere.org.au
**Photo Attached – Educator Chris Mouser enjoying the outdoors with children in her care.
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About Windermere For over 150 years Windermere has been providing help and resources to people so they can live life to their full potential. Our ultimate goal is to help create strong, connected communities where our services are no longer needed. Today we are proud to be one of the largest independent community service organisations operating solely in Victoria’s South-East. We support individuals who have experienced or are dealing with issues such as physical, emotional and sexual abuse, neglect, violence in the family, lack of housing, have been the victim of a violent crime, are living with a disability, who care for a child with a developmental delay or who just need help to fit in or feel part of their community. We provide emotional and practical support counselling, advice, education, advocacy, therapeutic interventions and reasons to come together. We also provide quality in home and centre-based childcare and work together with a number of schools to help children remain healthy and engaged. While we offer a suite of interventions, our key focus in on prevention and early intervention, and innovative practice. If you wish to know more information please contact Windermere Child and Family Services on (03) 9705 3200 or email info@windermere.org.au
For further media information contact: Maree De George Windermere Child and Family Services Phone: (03) 9705 3460 Mob: 0414 609 006 maree.degeorge@windermere.org.au www.windermere.org.au
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