Getting out there and being seen. I love taking my children out - even if it just dropping off at school. People look and comment on the wonderful children I have with me. The comments I hear are how wonderful they children behave. We can walk into a craft shop to buy some resources for a special occasion and all but the very youngest select items and carry shopping baskets. One of my little girls always remember if someone isn't there - away sick or on holiday - or maybe something for the ASCK. One of my older boys who will be 10 in 5 days time, who is an only child, takes great pride in his DC sisters - helping them with their shoes, holding their hands, wiping their chins when icecream has run down. People in shops remember my children when they are shopping with their parents and say hello to the children the children return the salutation and parents are always so pleased to hear the positive comments from people they have never met before on how wonderful their child behaves when out and about. I love FDC, I love the children and the parents. I thank the people who talk to me every day for taking the time - to talk to me.

FDC

A hot topic for some carers has been the recent childcare centre crisis and thoughts on how this may impact on FDC. So many carers are complaining of the same thing - VACANCIES - although everybody talks about the shortage of childcare so many carers still appear to have difficulties filling all their spaces, leading to thought s of what am I doing, how can I manage.
So many times I have mentioned FDC to someone and they say “What’s that?” or “You look after kids in your home”. Why is it that many parents think that LDC is the only option for them? Maybe because the only time FDC makes the news is when there is a tragedy.
Now’s the time to take control of our area of child care – encourage your schemes to be proactive at this time placing extra ad’s,, wouldn’t a photo opportunity at playgroup go well in a local newspaper. Hand out your business cards to friends and relatives to hand out to someone with children. Perhaps you could get together with your scheme and organise for flyers to be dropped in letter boxes -
With the recent dramas for LDC and the increased advertising for FDC hopefully parents will take a closer look at FDC and decide that we are more than capable of meeting their needs. Does anyone else know of an Childcare facility that has operated for - gosh must be nearly 30 years since I first heard of FDC - and it has weathered many changes while being on the outside to the rest of the child care industry - and keeps getting stronger and stronger despite little or no recognition from others in the industry.
Well I am keeping my finger crossed, this is a great time for FDC to step up and stand up there as a reliable sustainable form of childcare that deserves a bit more credit in the industry than it is currently given by other so called professionals.
Having said all that it’s not just up to the FDCA or our Schemes to keep us out there it requires each and every one of us to stand up and be counted, to advocate for the children we care for and the families we support and never forget that FDC is our field of employment within the childcare industry.
We are professional women and men who work on a daily basis with support from our own family, our DCK’s families and our schemes support; in return we support children, families and our schemes in a positive, professional and pro-active manner.