Hearts & Minds Education and Care

17/06/2026

Updating my First Aid Training 🤓 ❤️‍🩹
Thank you

16/06/2026

14/06/2026

Such a useful reframe from

Don't aim the extinguisher at the alarm. Find the fire. That's where real change begins.

https://www.circleofsecurityinternational.com/blogs/cosi-blog/dont-aim-at-the-alarm-find-the-fire

13/06/2026

So disappointing... year after year.

The Australian Government sets different CCS hourly caps for different types of care and I can't find a reason why FDC still has a lower cap than centre based care.
The policy appears to be based on assumptions about average fees and operating models and yet the government have simultaneously made it increasingly expensive for educators to run a FDC service so this no longer makes sense.

-Same NQF standards
-Same EYLF curriculum
-Same regulations and laws
-Same qualifications
-Both equally entitled to Child Care Subsidy
-But a lower rate cap in FDC so families reach the cap sooner

My families are intentionally choosing the FDC model for it's numerous positive differences from centre based care (small group, consistent responsive care, individualised education, calmer environment) and they end up paying more because they reach the CCS cap sooner than those who choose centres.

How is this fair?
Can anyone shed any light onto the reason for these decisions?
Why are the government not listening to FDCA?

12/06/2026

LITTLE MOMENTS MAKE BIG MEMORIES ❤🍿🎬🍣 🌠🌙🧸🥰

Our little crew planned a pyjama party after hours and had a ball making their own sushi, using the popcorn machine to make fresh popcorn and snuggling up with their cuddly toys and their besties to watch a movie.❤ So much joy and laughter 🥰 Plus the parents got a child-free (early) evening 🙌!

11/06/2026

So, I was reading my emails and came across the ECA Conference. As someone who is always looking for opportunities to learn and grow professionally, it's something I've often looked at with interest—but the reality is that for many Family Day Care educators, access to high-quality professional development, let alone a multi-day conference, can be limited by both time and cost. It can feel like a world that's out of reach, especially in the current climate.

I noticed there was an opportunity to apply for a scholarship, so I thought, "Why not?" In my application, I spoke about the barriers many FDC educators face when it comes to professional learning and how important it is that we have access to the same opportunities as the wider sector. After all, we stand to benefit enormously from these experiences—and so do the children and families we work with.

To be honest, I didn't expect to hear anything back.

But guess what?
..My application was successful! 🎉

I've been awarded a scholarship to attend the ECA Conference, with my conference registration, travel and accommodation all covered.

That means I'm heading to Melbourne (In September)!

Anyone who knows what a complete ECE nerd I am will understand just how excited I am right now! Three days of inspiring professional learning, connecting with passionate educators, and even getting to stay in a hotel in Melbourne?! I am absolutely thrilled!

A huge thank you to Early Childhood Australia for making this opportunity possible. I can't wait to learn, be inspired, and bring new ideas back to my practice.

Who else is coming?

10/06/2026

Today is The UNITED NATIONS International Day of PLAY!

Play is not just fun! It is a biological necessity for humans. It helps children develop the cognitive, physical, creative, social, and emotional skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Luckily play is our specialism here at Hearts & Minds!

I value all sorts of play but passionately believe in providing children with free and unstructured play for extended periods of time, allowing them to get into the flow state that leads to deep meaningful learning. This is the real gold of early learning that really allows children's brains to build and grow!

10/06/2026

Let the children PLAY (& let the adults read this article!)

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1D4M1cg9d8/

09/06/2026

June 11th is UN International Day of PLAY!

At Hearts & Minds, we know the value of play.
Our days are FILLED with quality child-led PLAY.
But sadly, most children are not getting these opportunities.
& Because our brains need play to develop healthily -a lack of free play contributes to the developmental delays and issues we are more commonly seeing in our young people.

Upholding Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) means guaranteeing every child’s fundamental right to rest, leisure, play, and free participation in cultural and artistic activities. It requires creating environments that actively foster creativity, relaxation, and physical development without adult-led pressure.

Join schools and children’s services and take the 31 minute PLAY challenge!

08/06/2026

🔥 A special evening with my Family Day Care families welcoming winter and sharing food, warmth and (most importantly) marshmallows around the fire pit!

🥰 Family Day Care is so more than just childcare, it becomes like an extension of your family.

❤ I like to offer opportunities for our families to connect through events like this regularly building the sense of community in our little village.