Toukley Centre Opening Day

When parents think of early education it is often considered a ‘babysitting service’ and no more. This is by no fault of the family, for how could they know what we REALLY do when this is how our sector is portrayed through the media and the government who treat us like the insignificant bottom of the food chain. How often did we hear through the pandemic that school teachers required our support, how were school teachers going to overcome the stresses of COVID, guidelines and reporting documentation….? In the meantime, ‘childcare’ or as we call ourselves early education and care (ECEC), was still operating the whole time under the same stresses, with the added pressure of financial hardship to continue operating with reduced incomes. Don’t get us wrong, we adore and respect school teachers, however we only ask for the same considerations. This is just one example of the battle we face each day when seeking support from our government bodies, support that flows onto you – our families.

‘Present- being in the moment, at peace and not thinking beyond the present moment’. Developing this ‘skill’ can take time, and it is normal to feel overwhelmed when first exploring what connecting consciously entails. I recall, how overwhelmed I felt as a parent while juggling, business, work, family, the home, organisation, meeting the day-to-day needs of my children, and the list goes on! I knew there had to be a better way, to get all the above done while still understanding each child, ensuring they are seen, heard and felt daily.

The two basic elements of a safe and secure connection can be found in predictable routines (rhythms of the day), and through the adult consistently showing up in a warm manner, while ensuring boundaries are maintained. In this blog, I will focus on predictable routines, what it is, and what strategies you could include in your day-to-day routine.