UPDATE APRIL 2025:
After much deliberation, I have officially decided to end my study of the cert in early childcare not because I didn’t enjoy the experience but because I have so many little people in my life already that I don’t think I’ll be able to start a family daycare anyway (I wish I had five lives to fill up instead of one!).
Besides my own gorgeous toddler, I have two beautiful nephews who I want to focus on spending more time with and so many other friends we want to nurture relationships with that, realistically, our schedule is just too full to add anything new. I’m still open to doing causal babysitting though so if you’re looking for someone to care for your little one while you get a haircut or do some errands, feel free to contact me. Our space is all set up for fun play dates and we always have a range of activities to share. I homeschooled our three older kids for seven years, after all, and can’t help myself from planning new learning experiences every day.
I definitely enjoyed my time studying the cert (I finished half over the last six months) and don’t regret it at all. Lots of new friends and experiences I’ll remember and be grateful for. But I am looking forward to having a bit more time to focus on other relationships with the time I’ve been spending each week on my placement and assignments, and also having time to finish creating some resources for young children that I started making many years ago.
Thanks to all who encouraged me in this journey… I’m still following my passion of early childcare, just with a slightly different focus.
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ORIGINAL POST:
For those who don’t know me personally, I’ve been a full time mama for over 16 years. During that time I’ve had various “jobs”… homeschooling my kids being the main (most time consuming) one! But I’ve also worked as a blogger, written children’s books, taught parenting classes, facilitated school holiday workshops… and done all the courses necessary to do these things lol. Diploma of Counselling, several parent educator certifications, kids yoga course, etc. Needless to say, I love supporting families.
I’ve always had an interest in early childhood education but have never had the opportunity to formally study it… until now! Feeling thankful to have begun a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care via TAFE Queensland at the end of 2024. So grateful for my four precious children who have given me so much inspiration and motivation to work in this area. And to my amazing sister-in-law Robbie for her encouragement and example in running her own Family Daycare after completing her own cert a few years ago!
On my Instagram account, I shared a bit about my reality between nursing, naptimes and playtime, of preparing to start the Cert III in Early Childhood Education and Care…
- Zooming in for a Q and A session
- Finalising date for a first aid course
- Getting immunisation documentation and a flu jab
- Uploading Blue Card details
- Organising placement paperwork
- Understanding the TAFE intake calendar and order of study
- Enrolling for my first unit
- Clearing my email inbox (had over 4k emails to sort eek…) to get organised for incoming messages
- Organising two blocks of time during my week when I can attend placement and complete assignments
It felt busy to begin new studies but I’m taking it one step at a time on this new journey.
The above photo was from September 2024… my first day of placement.
After I complete my studies, I plan to open a Family Daycare probably in early 2026. While I’m studying, I am working one day a week at the daycare centre and I am also available for casual babysitting one or two children at a time in my home during school hours. My oldest three are in school so it’s just me and my one year old at home most of the day. We are excited about opening our home to friends and I’m excited to support mothers by offering a few hours of babysitting, whatever the reason it’s required.
On Instagram and on the Chelsea’s Childcare Facebook Page, I’ll now be sharing some of the activities we are up to at home. If you’re local in Townsville, Queensland (Australia) feel free to contact me via one of those accounts if you’re interested in meeting up and seeing if your child would like to have a play date with us!
We will have a meet-and-greet one morning a month so you can have an opportunity to meet us and see our space. Follow those two social accounts for announcements.
I still may update the blog here are there but for the most part, I’m focusing on this new venture for the time being. As always, thanks for your support and for sharing my work – whether online or in person – with friends who may be interested!
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