A Day in the Life of Ladybugs and Rugrats

Enhance’s Recruitment Officer, Peta Fitzpatrick, describes the arrival of FDC in town as a “groundbreaking experience in many ways”. Until then, Tieri had only ever had mainstream Early Childhood centres, so the concept of a home-based daycare service was very unfamiliar.

But Lisa embraced the opportunity whole-heartedly as she opened Ladybugs and Rugrats, and welcomed the young children of Tieri into her family home to be educated and cared for.

In the two years since, Lisa has nurtured 15 children, aged six-months to seven years old. Along the way, Ladybugs and Rugrats has grown and evolved as Lisa, Enhance, and the Tieri community as a whole continue to learn from each other and adapt to the ever-changing childcare needs of the town.

We caught up with Lisa to chat about her experience so far, the arrival of a new FDC service in town, and to learn more about a day in the life of the children under her care…

Lisa, firstly, congratulations on the success of Ladybugs and Rugrats! How would you summarise the last two years?
It’s been an incredible journey, filled with creativity, growth, and a connection with each child that will stay with me forever. Each day has brought new challenges and opportunities to explore the magic of Tieri’s smallest humans, and I am endlessly grateful for the support from our amazing families.

You opened your FDC service when your daughter was just 4 years old, so not only were you embarking on the wild ride of parenthood, you were also navigating the rollercoaster of running your own business. How did you manage this?
I could not have managed this without the incredibly supportive community around me. From my neighbour and friends offering to take my daughter to school; to the wonderful staff at Tieri Aquatic Centre organising my daughter’s swim lessons around a friend’s schedule so she could attend; to the parents of the children I care for helping me set up large equipment. Every step of the way, the people around me have been amazing.
Finding time for just my daughter and me, without distractions, was hard at first, but we have finally found a good balance. Now, my weekends are dedicated to spending quality time with her, whether we’re at the park, pool, or skate park.

What have you found most rewarding and fulfilling?
There’s nothing quite like the warm welcome I receive from a child in the morning – a bright smile, a tight hug, and an eager recount of their previous night’s adventures.
And when the day draws to a close, their reluctance to leave speaks volumes about the sense of belonging and security they’ve found at Ladybugs and Rugrats. It’s a powerful reminder that I’m on the right track, providing a nurturing environment where they can thrive.

But what really gets me is witnessing the “aha” moments – those instances when a child finally grasps a new skill after weeks of perseverance. A recent proud moment was when one of my little ones mastered the art of putting on their socks without getting them tangled. The beaming smile, the excitement in their voice as they showed off their newfound ability to me and their parent, it was a truly unforgettable moment, one that made all the effort worthwhile.

As Tieri welcomes Amy and Little Love Care to town, what are you looking forward to?
The upcoming launch of the new FDC service is a thrilling development that fills me with anticipation, as it will provide a much-needed solution for families in our community.
It’s been so disheartening to turn away parents who are in dire need of childcare, whether it’s for a single day or for multiple little ones, simply because I haven’t had the capacity to accommodate them. However, the arrival of another FDC service opens up more availability for families.

I’m eager to join forces with Amy and offer my support to ensure both she and Little Love Care thrive. By working together, I’m confident that we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of local families, providing them with much needed childcare.
Unlike mainstream Early Childhood centres, FDC’s are typically run from the Educator’s family home. How do you juggle sharing your business space with your family space?
By sharing our home with the community, my daughter and I have discovered a mix of benefits and challenges.

One of the most significant advantages is the flexibility it’s given us. I can start my workday in the comfort of our own home, gently easing into the morning alongside the daycare children, while Loralai sleeps in as late as she needs – sometimes until 8am! This relaxed pace allows her to begin her day feeling refreshed and unrushed, without the added stress of an early morning wake-up call.

However, there’s a downside to this arrangement that we’re still navigating: the constant presence of children can be overwhelming for Loralai. Her days are filled with the sounds and energy of kids. From the morning gathering at home, to a full day at school, and then back to our house, where she’s surrounded by more children until the evening – this relentless pace can be draining for her at times, but we’re learning to find ways around it.

You’ve recently received some exciting new outdoor resources for the children to enjoy, including a sandpit and shade in time for the warmer months. What experiences do you hope this will allow for the children?
The latest additions to our outdoor play area have been a huge hit with the kids, who can’t get enough of the thrill of discovery and imagination. The sandy terrain has become a hotspot for budding adventurers, where they can dig, explore, and unleash their inner excavators, just like their parents they’ve seen at the mine site.

With our toy trucks and tunnels, the little ones have been busy constructing their very own miniature mine, complete with wooden figurines standing in as brave miners, bringing the entire operation to life with their vibrant imaginations.

How would you describe the Ladybugs and Rugrats experience from a child’s perspective?
I asked a few of my daycare children what they liked about being at Ladybugs and Rugrats. Here’s what they had to say:
• J, 4-years old: “I love it, I love the art trolley and feathers”
• L,6-years old: “Ummm everything!”
• J, 5-years old: “Playing with the hose and water”
• L, 2.5-years old: “Digging and mud”

In my experience, the FDC setting is all about embracing a child-led and spontaneous approach to learning, where the children take the reins. Our small group of just four during the day allows us to adopt a gentle, flexible pace that’s tailored to their unique needs and interests. This means they can dive deep into their learning without feeling pressured or rushed, and genuinely enjoy the process.

When it comes to my after-school group, the focus shifts to unwinding and having a great time. After a busy day at school, they arrive, refuel with a snack, and then get to indulge in some well-deserved playtime. The highlights of their afternoon are often lounging on the super-comfy nugget couch and getting creative with our Minecraft blocks.

What does a typical day look like for the children at Ladybugs and Rugrats?
As the morning unfolds, the early risers get to enjoy some quiet time, lost in their own little worlds of creativity. They might spend their time colouring, molding playdough, or exploring other self-directed activities.

Once the rest of the gang arrives, and the older kids head off to school, we gather for a mid-morning snack, accompanied by a captivating story that sets the tone for the day. But the highlight of the morning is yet to come – the beloved craft session. I unveil the treasure trove of artistic delights, overflowing with paints, crayons, pompoms, and a plethora of other exciting materials. The children’s eyes light up as they select their favourite tools and we embark on a creative adventure together.

After the craft session, we transition into more independent play, followed by lunch and a well-deserved rest.

The afternoons are just as engaging, with a pick-up from school, a snack, and some musical or storytelling fun. As the day winds down, we slip into a gentle rhythm of independent play, waiting for the parents to arrive and bring the day full circle.

A large part of our day is spent doing or observing everyday things. For example, we recently got a new fence installed in the backyard and the children sat watching for the majority of the morning. They asked a ton of questions, both to me and to the workers.
Whenever the lawn is being mowed, several of the children sit at the door observing and commenting on what they see. And we cook almost daily. Sometimes it’s simply chopping up vegetables, other times it’s making cheesecake from scratch.

I try to involve the children in as many normal, everyday activities as I can as a way to teach life skills. Currently several of the children have really embraced learning to fold and so I always have a basket of clean facewashers or towels available for them to practice on.

Is there anything that’s surprised you about running your own FDC service?
The unpredictability of daily life is a constant source of fascination for me. One day’s passions can quickly give way to new and unexpected interests, leaving even the best-laid plans up in the air. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve tailored a day’s activities to a child’s previous enthusiasm, only to have them wake up the next morning with a completely fresh fixation.

What’s more, I’ve come to realise that children often possess a depth of knowledge that surpasses my own. They have an uncanny ability to unearth obscure facts and trivia, which, upon further investigation, frequently prove to be astonishingly accurate – and entirely new to me. This phenomenon never fails to leave me in awe of their curious minds and innate thirst for learning.

As the end of the year approaches, what can the families of Tieri expect from Ladybugs and Rugrats in 2026 and beyond?
I look forward to continuing providing care for the families of Tieri, and to collaborating with Amy and the new FDC service to help them get situated.