Families and educators from around 50 family day care locations gathered for the 2024 Baulkham Hills Family Fun Day, graduation and 45-year anniversary of Baulkham Hills Family Day Care, a service run by Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.
Held on Thursday 21 November in Dural, the free event included pony rides, a jumping castle, animal petting zoo, dance performances, softball skills clinic, and gymnastics from local community organisations, who happily volunteered their time to engage the children, as well as a surprise visit from St Nick!
Even the local Rural Fire Brigade from Dural was on site, enabling kids to climb into the fire truck and envision their future career options. Parents and children were thrilled to be part of the event, while also celebrating this year’s little graduates.
Local Rural Fire Brigade from Dural having some fun with the children. Credit: Visual Eyes Photography/Diocese of Parramatta.
Carolyn Liddiard has been with Baulkham Hills Family Day Care for 18 years. She has seen many changes over the years, including the growth of the Family Fun Day and Graduation ceremony from a small gathering in the garden area of the St Michael’s Family Centre, to what it is today with over 200 families and educators in attendance, rides, animals, community groups and lots of fun activities.
External to the Family Fun Day, Carolyn is keen to point out the massive growth in the Early Childhood Educator and Care sector over the last 45 years the scheme has been running.
“We have moved away from the image of simply a childcare or a babysitting service, to being recognised for our high standards of care, our professional qualifications and skills and our programming and planning curriculum through The Early Years Learning Framework and My Time our Place.
“It is these things which guide and nurture children’s development and connection to learning as well as assisting children to understand secure, respectful and reciprocal relationships – skills that will ensure our children continue their learning journey ready to thrive,” she said.
The free event included a myriad of fun activities for the children and families. Credit: Visual Eyes Photography/Diocese of Parramatta.
Debra Magin has been at Baulkham Hills Family Day Care for 14 years. She said the best part about her role was “empowering and supporting educators to believe in their talents and skills and to reach their fullest potential”.
Debra added that she “absolutely treasured” her role for the opportunities it gave her to continue to connect with educators, and the amazing and diverse children in care.
In her time in family day care, Debra’s role has allowed her to combine her love of mentoring teachers, guiding children’s learning and development and being an advocate for both.
Debra is also enjoying seeing the resurgence of educators returning to the family day care sector, helping them to create their own business to support themselves, as well as the children and families in their communities.
Emma Low, Baulkham Hills Family Day Care Coordinator for Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, said the service continues to grow, providing a home-based and nurturing environment for children aged between six weeks and 13 years.
A surprise visitor! Credit: Visual Eyes Photography/Diocese of Parramatta.
“Children get to know their environment, which is always with the same educator – building confidence, trust and a sense of belonging; ultimately helping children to thrive,” Emma said.
“The passion and commitment of our family day care educators is like no other, each offering a different and unique service to families.”
“We have trained, professional and passionate educators who are always thinking of creative ways to harness children’s creative minds and give them the confidence and independence to thrive,” she said.
Emma said the family fun day was a chance for educators and families to come together and just have fun.
“It has been wonderful seeing children who have been or are currently in our care and their families join us for a day of family fun and celebration – the children’s happy voices and big smiles said it all.”
“It was also great to see new families who are seeking more intimate and personal Early Childhood Education and Care options; being able to share with them information about who we are and the flexible arrangements we offer in home-based environments across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.”
Check out the full gallery of photos from the event.
To find out more about Baulkham Hills Family Day Care, visit: https://hillsfamilydaycare.com.au
