30th anniversary of Family Day Care in Greater Hume Shire

As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of Family Day Care in Greater Hume Shire, we look back on three decades of dedication, growth, and community spirit. It’s been a remarkable journey, starting as a small service with just a few educators in 1994 and blossoming into a trusted resource for nearly 500 children each week. I had the pleasure of attending this special anniversary event last week. Reflecting on the impact of Family Day Care, I’m reminded of the vital role it plays in supporting our families, enabling parents to pursue their careers and aspirations with confidence. This milestone is more than a celebration—it’s a testament to the commitment of our educators, staff, and community to nurturing and educating the youngest members of Greater Hume Shire.

A Proud History of Service

The story of Family Day Care in Greater Hume Shire begins in March 1994, when the service was first established as Hume Billabong Family Day Care. With a modest start, the program began with just eight dedicated Family Day educators, serving the families in Jindera and the surrounding smaller communities within the Hume Shire.

In those early days, operations were based in the Hume Shire building in Albury, a humble beginning that would lay the foundation for years of growth and community impact. As the demand for quality child care and early childhood education increased, the service soon outgrew its initial location. In response to this growth, Family Day Care moved to the Community Building in Jindera, bringing its services closer to the heart of the community it served.

Today, Family Day Care has found its permanent home in Lavington, where it continues to thrive. The evolution from a small, local initiative to a significant provider of early childhood education and care is a proud reflection of the dedication to meeting the needs of our families, children, and community. This history is not only about expanding services but also about ensuring that every child who participates in Family Day Care receives the highest standard of care, support, and education, a legacy that continues to shape our approach today.

Growth & Expansion

From its humble beginnings with just eight educators, Family Day Care in Greater Hume Shire has experienced remarkable growth and transformation over the past 30 years. Today, the service is proud to support a dedicated team of 57 educators, each one committed to providing high-quality early childhood education and care to nearly 500 children each week.

This expansion is a direct response to the increasing demand for flexible and accessible child care options in our growing community. As more families chose Family Day Care for its personalised, nurturing environment, the service adapted and scaled to meet these needs, ensuring that each child received the individual attention and care that makes this service so unique.

The growth of Family Day Care has not only been about increasing numbers, but also about maintaining the same high standards of care and education that families have come to trust. Through this expansion, we’ve been able to create a more inclusive and diverse environment that reflects the evolving needs of our community.

As we continue to grow, our focus remains on providing exceptional support to children, educators, and families. With each new year, Family Day Care strengthens its commitment to being a cornerstone of early childhood development in Greater Hume Shire, helping families balance their work, personal, and educational aspirations with peace of mind.

Evolving to Meet Community Needs

The legacy of Family Day Care in Greater Hume Shire is rooted in its unwavering commitment to providing a safe, nurturing, and educational environment for children. For 30 years, this service has played a vital role in allowing parents to pursue their careers and personal goals with peace of mind, knowing that their children are receiving exceptional care. But beyond its foundational values, Family Day Care has continually evolved to meet the ever-changing needs of our community.

As the world of early childhood education has advanced, so too has Family Day Care. Over the years, the service has embraced innovative educational methods, ensuring that the curriculum remains engaging and reflective of the latest best practices in early childhood development. This adaptability has allowed Family Day Care to remain at the forefront of education and care, providing enriching experiences that are not only fun but also foster essential skills for lifelong learning.

Additionally, Family Day Care has placed a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion, recognising that every child brings their unique strengths, perspectives, and needs to the table. As our community becomes more diverse, the service has been proactive in ensuring that its programs and educators reflect this diversity, creating a welcoming environment for all families, regardless of background or circumstance.

Meeting the latest health and safety standards has also been a top priority. Family Day Care continuously adapts to ensure that both children and educators are provided with the safest environment possible. From the implementation of new safety protocols to keeping up with the latest in child protection and hygiene standards, the service is always ready to adjust to meet the changing landscape of early childhood care.

Through all these changes and growth, the core mission of Family Day Care has remained the same—to provide exceptional care and support for children and their families. As we look back on 30 years of success, we recognise that this legacy of care is built on a foundation of constant innovation and dedication to meeting the needs of our community. And as we look forward, we remain committed to evolving further, ensuring that Family Day Care continues to offer a safe, inclusive, and enriching environment for generations to come.

Gratitude & Reflection

As we reflect on the incredible journey of Family Day Care over the past 30 years, it’s important to acknowledge the heart and soul of this service—our dedicated staff and educators. Their tireless efforts, passion, and commitment to providing high-quality care have been essential in building the trusted service that we celebrate today. These educators are not just caregivers; they are mentors, nurturers, and advocates for the children they work with, fostering an environment where children can thrive and reach their fullest potential. Without their hard work and devotion, the success of Family Day Care would not be possible.

We also extend our deepest thanks to the families who have trusted us with the care and education of their children. Your support and belief in Family Day Care have been instrumental in our growth and success. It is a privilege to be part of such a vibrant, caring community.

As we celebrate this significant milestone, we also look forward with excitement to the future. Our commitment to supporting families remains as strong as ever, and we are dedicated to continuing our growth, ensuring that Family Day Care evolves alongside the needs of our community. With the ongoing dedication of our educators, the unwavering support of our families, and the continued focus on innovation and inclusion, we are confident that the next 30 years will be just as impactful and rewarding.

Here’s to the future of Family Day Care in Greater Hume Shire—a future where we continue to inspire, nurture, and educate for generations to come. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey, and we look forward to what’s next.