The Big Hearted Podcast

Episode Summary: In this episode, we dive into the transformative power of intentional teaching and seasonal planning for early childhood educators. Discover how these strategies can enhance your work-life balance, increase your professionalism, and positively impact children's experiences.   Key Points: Introduction to Intentional Teaching: Understanding the concept of intentional teaching a...

Episode Description: In this episode, we provide practical guidance for family day care educators on how to effectively answer submission questions for the Educator of the Year nominations. Discover how to highlight your unique strengths, empower children in your care, and engage with the wider community. Whether you're an educator, coordinator, or service manager, these tips will help you stand o...

In today's episode, we look at practical strategies to help family day care educators avoid burnout by working with the seasons and prioritising self-care. From setting up a slow cooker the night before to establishing consistent routines, discover actionable tips to fill your cup and maintain your passion for early childhood education.   Key Points Covered: Embracing Seasonal Changes: Adapti...

Podcast Show Notes: Managing Illness in Your Family Day Care Episode Summary: In this episode of the Big Hearted Podcast, I discuss managing illness in family day care services. I provide practical tips on setting boundaries, communicating with parents, and implementing a wellness policy to protect both educators and children. I share insights on the importance of rest, nutrition, and outdoor play...

Welcome to the Big Hearted Podcast! Today, we have a very special guest, Jana, a renowned myofunctional therapist. Jana is here to enlighten us on the intricacies of myofunctional therapy and its impact on early childhood development and beyond.   Key Points: What is Myofunctional Therapy? Jana explains that myofunctional therapy is akin to physiotherapy but focused on the head, neck, mouth,...

Episode Summary: In today’s episode, I tackle the contentious issue of whether family day care services should disclose their financial breakdown to educators. Triggered by recent posts from educators questioning service fees, I dive deep into the complexities and challenges faced by service providers.   Key Points Discussed: The Importance of Understanding Fees: I've previously recorded epis...

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, a...

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 o...

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...

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 ne...

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...

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 disci...

Welcome to the Big-Hearted Podcast. In today's episode, we have the pleasure of hearing from the vibrant and insightful Melissa DeCastro, an early childhood educator from Canada. As a mother of three and a veteran in the field of early education, Melissa shares her wealth of experience, spanning nearly two decades. We delve into the nurturing world of 'Forest Kinder' in Canada, the trials faced du...

Welcome to the Big Hearted Podcast. Today, I'm venturing into the often-sensitive territory of dealing with criticism and feedback within our family daycare community. I'll be sharing my personal and professional experiences on how to turn potentially hurtful comments into opportunities for growth and innovation. In This Episode: The Sting of Criticism: I address the sting of receiving negative fe...

In this week's episode, we dive into the journey of Rachel Smith, a remarkable family day care (FDC) educator with a story that resonates with resilience, passion, and the transformative power of adversity. Rachel's path from experiencing a career-threatening challenge to becoming a beacon of hope and innovation for FDC educators across Australia is a testament to the strength and potential within...

Welcome to this week's episode of the Big Hearted Podcast, where we looking into innovative approaches to documentation in family day care and challenging the norms to uplift our practices for the children's benefit. In This Episode: The No-Photo Challenge: We embark on a thought-provoking journey to explore a month without using photographs for documentation in family day care settings. This chal...

GPT In this deeply impactful episode of the Big Hearted Podcast, we delve into the critical and sensitive issue of child safety within early childhood education, featuring the insightful Kristi McVee. With her extensive background as a police officer and child abuse detective, Kristi shares invaluable perspectives on the prevalence of child sexual abuse, the importance of open discussions for prev...

Episode Summary: Today's podcast explores the simplicity of programming and planning in early childhood education when approached with clarity. We tackle the common hurdles educators face with documentation and offer practical strategies for making the process more efficient and meaningful. The discussion is grounded in a real-world query from the big-hearted planet community, shedding light on th...

In the latest #bigheartedpodcast episode, Carol Robinson steps up to the mic with a message that resonates with every family day care educator's heart. With years of experience from managing a beauty salon to mentoring in self-love, Carol understands the intricacies of caring for others while keeping one's own well-being in check. The conversation unfolds as Carol lays out her professional pivot a...

As a Family Day Care (FDC) educator, personal responsibility plays an important role in ensuring a high-quality care and educational environment. Not only that, it increases your level of enjoyment within your work. Here are five key points regarding personal responsibility: Understanding and Adhering to Regulations: As an FDC educator, it's crucial to have a thorough understanding of the regulati...

Language Warning! I dropped a few tiny words that are not appropriate for children! In this episode of the Big Hearted Podcast, we were joined by Educator of the Year Stephanie Hoy from Port Lincoln, South Australia. Leaving behind the corporate world for family daycare, Stephanie has embraced the joys of childhood education, crafting a nurturing space where children thrive. Her home, complete wit...

Hello there, It's Victoria here, and I'm delighted to be back in the podcast chair after a little break. I've missed our chats, and I'm buzzing with excitement to share my plans for the year with you. I'm keeping our podcast sessions to a cosy 20 minutes, so you can fit a dose of inspiration into your busy schedule. Today, I want to share something deeply personal yet universally applicable – the...

Sustainability in FDC: It Ain't Just Being Green! Welcome, dear listeners, wherever you find yourself on this delightful day. Grab your morning brew (if it’s still hot) and let’s dive into a chat that's as invigorating as your first sip of coffee. Now, here's a little fun fact – I'm recording this at the bright and early hour of 20 past six in the morning. Yep, before my coffee has even properly k...

Let's look at self confidence, and the many varied ways it has an impact on our lives, and how we show up in our work. All In, All The Time: In this episode, I share how my passion can sometimes be a double-edged sword, giving too much and potentially overwhelming my team. The challenge: How to support without swamping? The Happy Medium: Juggling ADHD and hyper-focus; it's not all rainbows. I conf...

Hello, my fabulous listeners! Today, we're diving headfirst into the heart of family daycare: fostering deep, meaningful connections with the children in our care. You know, sometimes I see us educators as these majestic trees, providing shade, shelter, and a bit of adventure to the children in our care. Let's unpack this tree analogy, shall we? Imagine us, standing tall and sturdy, our branches e...