The Big Hearted Podcast Victoria Edmond

The Art and Science of Play
Welcome to a very special episode of the Big-Hearted Podcast! Today, we're diving into the Play and Programming Summit, designed to revolutionise your approach to early childhood education. Join us as we explore the incredible insights and practical strategies from our expert speakers.

Episode Highlights:
Day 1: The Benefits of Play


Cognitive Development: Dave Jareb, an occupational therapist, discusses how play enhances brain function and growth.
Playfulness: Reflecting on the importance of maintaining a playful attitude in both personal and professional life.
Risky Play: Nicole and Tash from Inspired Family Daycare share how to manage and encourage risky play, ensuring emotional safety and development.

Day 2: Simplifying Programming


Back to Basics: Tips on making programming simpler and more effective by focusing on what truly matters.
Expert Insights: Stephanie Hoey, reigning Educator of the Year, provides a step-by-step guide to reframing your approach to programming.
Setting Boundaries: Psychologist Leanne Tran emphasises the importance of boundaries and how saying "no" can positively impact children’s growth.

Day 3: Integrating Play and Programming


Documentation: Learn from various educators about the best ways to document and observe children’s play.
Human Design: Sam McCoy introduces the concept of human design and its application in creating a suitable environment for children.
Practical Life Skills: Simone Pearson and Claire Warden from Children of the Wilderness highlight using practical life as a springboard for programming.

Key Takeaways:

Emotional Safety: Understanding and addressing emotional risks in children’s play.
Community and Connection: The significance of fostering a sense of community and emotional safety through play.
Creativity and Critical Thinking: Encouraging creativity and problem-solving skills in children.
Stress Reduction: The role of play in reducing stress and anxiety for children.

Additional Resources:

Seasonal Planning Sessions: Included in the VIP ticket for practical, hands-on planning assistance.
Books and Websites: Recommended by our speakers for further reading and inspiration.

Join the Conversation:
Participate in our nightly Q&A sessions with speakers, and stand a chance to win amazing prizes like membership access and planner sets. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to transform your practice and connect with like-minded educators.

We look forward to seeing you at the Play and Programming Summit!

Welcome to a pivotal discussion on financial empowerment in family day care. In today's episode, we address the often daunting task of setting fees that accurately reflect the value of the services provided. Our focus isn't just on the numbers, but on the fundamental respect and worth that every educator should command.

What You'll Learn:


Understanding Your Costs: How to calculate the real cost of opening your doors every day, including unexpected expenses like renovations or increased utility rates.
Business Mindset: Transitioning from informal fee-setting to a structured, business-like approach to financial management within your day care.
Investment and Recovery: Strategies for spreading significant expenses over time to avoid fee spikes while still planning for financial sustainability.
Value Your Worth: Encouraging educators to set fees based on their unique offerings and expertise, rather than undervaluing their services to match market norms.
Comprehensive Expense Planning: Including taxes, superannuation, sick and annual leave in your fee structure to ensure a well-rounded financial strategy.
Encouragement to Educators: Emphasising the importance of not undercharging, which can hinder the financial and professional growth of educators.

Featured Insights:


Valuing Your Service: Recognise and charge for the value you add through experience, professional development, and quality of care.
Personal Stories and Experiences: Real-life scenarios that highlight the emotional and practical challenges of fee-setting in family day care.
Empowering Women in Business: Discussing the broader implications of financial empowerment for women in the early childhood education sector.

Whether you're new to setting fees or looking to refine your approach, this episode offers essential strategies to ensure your family day care thrives financially and ethically. Join us for a robust conversation that aims not just at sustaining your business, but elevating the quality of early childhood education.

Resources Mentioned:


Profitable FDC Course: Dive deeper into profitable strategies specific to family day care.
Kickstarter Course: A free resource for educators starting in fee management and resource budgeting.
You can find them here: Courses Here

For more insights and support in running your family day care as a flourishing business, visit Big Hearted Education.

Tags: #bigheartededucation, #bigheartedpodcast, #FDC, #FDCeducator, #WomenInBusiness, #ECEFinance

Tune in, charge your worth, and transform your educational space into a thriving, sustainable business.

In this deeply moving episode of the Big Hearted Education Podcast, Michelle McLaughlin, founder of the Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation, shares the heart-wrenching story of her family's loss which led to the creation of a vital road safety initiative. As family day care educators and parents, understanding and implementing practical road safety measures can save lives. Key Discussion Points: Origin of Little Blue Dinosaur: Born from tragedy, the foundation aims to promote road safety awareness, especially in holiday areas lacking infrastructure. Personal Journey: Michelle's personal story and the circumstances that led to the tragic loss of her son, highlighting the importance of vigilance and education in road safety. Road Safety Awareness: The importance of discussing and adjusting to different environments when travelling or staying in less familiar areas. Developmental Considerations: Insights into the cognitive, physical, and perceptual limitations of children up to ten years old, emphasising why children require close supervision and hand-holding near roadways. Educational Strategies: For educators and parents, the vital role of direct supervision and physical restraints such as hand-holding to prevent accidents. Infrastructure and Community Safety: The need for improved safety measures in public spaces, especially in holiday destinations and residential areas. Foundation Initiatives: Projects and resources offered by the Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation to enhance road safety education. Michelle's Takeaway Message: The loss of a child is an unimaginable tragedy, but Michelle’s story teaches us the critical importance of being proactive about road safety. By educating both children and adults about the hazards and safety measures associated with roadways, driveways, and holiday environments, we can prevent such tragedies. For More Information: Visit the Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation at www.littlebluedinosaur.org Educators and parents are encouraged to explore the site for resources and support materials designed to enhance road safety awareness among children. Join Us: If you’re touched by this episode, consider supporting the Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation’s initiatives or incorporate their educational materials into your family day care programs.

Hello, and a warm welcome to our latest episode (yes, a tad delayed, and that’s okay). Today’s about being comfortable with where you’re at, and the face we present to the world. What’s Inside: Heartfelt thoughts on self-recognition and authenticity in our professional journey. The unexpected wisdom from accountability calls with our business coach, Tina, and the perspective shift courtesy of a newcomer, Kate. A reflective take on the ‘Embodied Me’ program and the game-changing morning routine it promotes. An honest admission of how we often mislabel ourselves as ‘procrastinators’ and the reality check provided by our peers. Insights from a fellow educator’s quote, “My thoughts are not facts,” and its profound relevance to our self-narrative. Real examples showing how action trumps the procrastination tag every time. The importance of seeking help to fill in our skill gaps instead of letting fear paralyse us. An empowering note on rewriting our self-imposed stories that limit our potential in areas like programming or staying organised amid family chaos. Strategies to enhance what we wish to see in ourselves rather than magnifying our shortcomings. Outro: Let’s shake off the labels we’ve self-assigned and embrace the extraordinary people we are. You’re entitled to happiness and loving your life – it’s in your hands. So, go out there and seize the day with all the splendour you deserve.

Fuel Up Your Life with Sammy Jaeger Episode Overview: Today's episode welcomes the delightful Sammy Jaeger, an entrepreneur, integrator coach, speaker, and author in the making. Fresh from the Her Empire Builder conference, Sammy shares her insights on self-care, empowerment, and the importance of fueling one's life by design. Key Takeaways: Fueling Your Own Life: Sammy advocates for the necessity of meeting one's own needs first. She discusses the impact of relationships on life quality and the significant role each individual plays in creating a better world, aligning with the UN global goals. Sammy’s Heart Story: After reaching a crossroads in life and experiencing burnout, Sammy chose to redefine her life, leading her from a global team leader to an entrepreneur. She reveals her "fueled up" life approach and her passion for proactive living. Living Aligned with Values: Sammy and Vic discuss the importance of living a life that is deeply aligned with one's values and how it reflects on everyday actions and decisions. They explore the challenges and societal norms around gender roles and expectations in early childhood education. Commitment to Movement: Sammy shares her dedication to daily movement through an interesting anecdote about her commitment to closing the rings on her Apple Watch. Thinking Time: The significance of having time to think, reflect, and be with one's own thoughts is highlighted as a crucial aspect of being a thought leader and an educator. UN Global Goals: The conversation pivots to Sammy's advocacy for the UN Global Goals and how businesses, including family daycare educators, can contribute to making a difference. Invitation to Reflect: Sammy extends an invitation for listeners to conduct a self-reflection exercise using a worksheet available on her website. Guest Bio: Sammy Jaeger is a business dynamo and advocate for individual empowerment. After a pivotal moment in her career, she embarked on a journey to fuel her life with purpose and now assists others in doing the same. Memorable Quote: "Fueling up isn’t just a practice, it’s a way of living that brings out the best in you, in all areas of life." - Sammy Jaeger Call to Action: Listeners are encouraged to engage in self-reflection to evaluate and improve various aspects of their lives, leading to a more balanced and fulfilled existence. Resources Mentioned: UN Global Goals Video Tank Check Worksheet- sammijaeger.com/tankcheck Connect with Sammy: Website: sammijeager.com Instagram: @Sammisomewhere

In today's episode, we look at the intricate dance of owning your business versus being owned by it. I speak into the essential nature of strategic planning for the health of your family daycare business. The lack of planned holidays, financial foresight, and daily structure are tell-tale signs of a business running you, rather than the other way around. I touch upon the beneficial impact of disciplined planning, sharing personal anecdotes of how a coach significantly shifted my approach to business. I reflect on the perils of burnout and the refreshing clarity that comes from sound financial planning, including budgeting for taxes and superannuation. I discuss the concept of being the CEO of your own life and how adopting a business mogul's mindset, even in a small-scale operation, can lead to exceptional outcomes. The session delves into the practical steps needed to move from chaotic multitasking to efficient, batched work processes, thereby enabling a more profound professional and personal satisfaction. Moreover, we explore the importance of tracking and measuring your activities to not only improve your business operations but also to enhance your professional development. This discipline allows you to be present and curious in your role, deepening your understanding of child development and enriching the learning experiences you provide. I challenge you to view your business from a higher vantage point, recognising areas lacking discipline and seeking to understand the unknowns. I share that the power of accountability in owning your business and ensuring it doesn't own you.