A quarter of a century of caring for kids

In 1993, you probably drove your Holden Commodore to the local video store (was it Video Ezy or Blockbuster?) to rent the world’s most popular movie Jurassic Park. Streaming was a term reserved for your tears or even sweat as most of us had never heard of the Internet and Hotmail hadn’t even been invented.

It was then that Terrey Hills mother Maxine Tipper decided to stop working at the Videoland store she and husband ran and work from home, allowing her to be there for her son before and after school.

After speaking to a friend who was running Family Day Care out of her home, Maxine decided to give it a try. Twenty five years later, much may have changed in our world surrounding technology and the way we watch videos, but Maxine continues her great work with children, providing care, education and important support for local families.

We asked Maxine some questions about what has changed and what has stayed the same over 25 years.

When and where did you start your Family Day Care business? I joined Warringah Family Day Care West (now Northern Beaches Council FDC) as a carer approximately 25 years ago caring for children at my home in Terrey Hills.

What attracted you to starting Family Day Care? I started caring because my son was starting kindergarten and I wanted to be there for him before and after school. After a friend suggested I start Family Day Care as she did, I looked into it and it worked perfectly. I was able to be there for my son and also assist other families in the area by caring for their children and take them to and from school.

What did you have to do to start the business and what support did you get from Council? Council came and interviewed me and inspected and assessed my home for safety. I had to give references, have a First Aid Certificate and complete a short course for new carers. The staff at Warringah Family Day Care West were very supportive, which helped me greatly. When the laws changed in the early 2010s, Council helped me complete my Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.

What was the best thing about FDC when you started and what is the best thing now? The best thing about Family Day Care is the same now as it was then. I love caring for the children and supporting their families. I have always had great support from other educators who gave me lots of tips on how to run my service and we love to get the children together for outings.

What has changed the most in the past 25 years? The biggest changes in FDC are the regulations and accreditation, which all support the health and safety of the children. With the introduction of the Early Years Learning Framework (ELYF), our role changed from 'carer' to 'educator' and has enhanced the way in which we create a program for each child while they are in our care. The EYLF program extends beyond our care as the child progresses onto preschool and school.

What is your most memorable moment in the last 25 years as a FDC educator? The most memorable moments are when I open the door of a morning to a "good morning Maxine" and a smiling face or when I get a "see you tomorrow" with a high five! The friendships and support I have received over the past 25 years from other carers who I have worked closely with and the appreciation and love from parents and children I have cared for. Facebook has been a great tool giving the opportunity to keep in touch with past children and families as they journey through life.

Why would you recommend people consider Family Day Care as a career? I would recommend anyone who loves children and wants to work from home to become a Family Day Care Educator as it is a very rewarding career.

Find out more about whether Northern Beaches Council’s Family Day Care is right for your child. We have availability across the Beaches.

We also need carers in the Manly area. If this sounds like something that interests you, please contact the friendly Family Day Care team on 9942 2122 to enquire about becoming a Family Day Care Educator.