Podcast Show Notes:

Mindfulness in Family Daycare - Finding Calm in the Chaos

In this week’s episode of the Big Hearted Podcast, I’m covering the topic of mindfulness in family day care and how it can help us, as educators, find calm amidst the everyday chaos. With so many of us feeling overwhelmed and burnt out, it’s so important that we create space for ourselves and the children we care for to slow down and reconnect.

Key Topics:

Burnout in the Industry: I talk about the increasing number of educators feeling stressed and burnt out, particularly in long daycare, and how family day care offers a different approach to managing these challenges. Mindfulness plays a huge role in helping us navigate these feelings. Mindfulness in Action: I share my experiences of how practising mindfulness has shaped the way I run my service. This includes being mindful about the children I welcome into care, recognising my limits, and creating a space where both the children and I can thrive.

Setting Boundaries: Saying no is okay. I explain why it’s important to understand our capacity as educators and how setting boundaries allows us to provide better care without feeling overwhelmed. It’s essential to communicate openly with service providers to ensure we’re on the same page.

Calming the Day’s Rhythm: Establishing a calm, predictable routine makes a world of difference. I discuss how slowing down and giving children the time and space for unstructured play supports their development and helps create a more peaceful environment for everyone.

Curating Your Group: One of the unique advantages of family day care is the ability to choose the children and families you work with. I talk about the importance of curating a group that aligns with your skills and values to foster a more harmonious and effective learning environment. Encouraging

Unstructured Play: I touch on the benefits of unstructured play and how we, as educators, can step back and let children take the lead in their own learning. It’s about creating that space for imagination and problem-solving without overstimulation.

Takeaways: Mindfulness isn’t just about quiet moments; it’s about being intentional with how we run our services, care for children, and care for ourselves. Setting clear boundaries and advocating for yourself leads to better care for the children and more sustainability for you as an educator. Creating a calm, mindful routine helps children engage in deeper play, and ultimately, gives us more space to connect and support their learning journey.

Join the Conversation: I’d love to hear your thoughts on mindfulness in family day care! Whether you agree, disagree, or have your own ideas to share, I’m open to having those discussions. You can reach out through email or join the conversation on social media.

Let’s support one another as we create more mindful, heart-centred environments for our children.