Little Love Care Opens Its Doors

Amy, congratulations! How does it feel to be fulfilling a life-long dream?
It feels so surreal and incredibly special. Caring for children has always been my passion, and creating a space that feels warm, safe, and full of love for little ones has been a dream of mine for such a long time. To now see that dream come to life and watch children thrive here every day is something I’m so grateful for.

Take us through day one, when the first children stepped into your care?
The first day was such a mix of excitement and nerves. I remember making sure every little detail was perfect and feeling so excited when the children walked through the door. Very quickly, the space filled with laughter, little footsteps, and smiles, and it instantly felt like everything was exactly how it was meant to be. The children all settled in so beautifully, which made the day feel even more special.

What’s the response been like from the community?
The support from the community has been overwhelming in the best possible way. Families have been so kind and encouraging, and it’s been so lovely seeing people connect with the vision I had for creating a calm, nurturing home-away-from-home environment. I continue to receive lots of interest and enquiries from families looking for care, which has been incredibly special and so rewarding.

And how about the kids, how have they reacted to their ‘home away from home’?
The children have settled in so beautifully. Seeing them feel safe, comfortable, and excited to arrive each day has been the most rewarding feeling. They’ve really made the space their own, whether it’s exploring outside, reading stories together, caring for our worm farm, dancing to music, or simply sharing little laughs with each other.

Most family day cares (FDC) are run out of the Educator’s family home, but not in this case. Can you describe the setup?
Yes, our setup is a little unique. We operate from a dedicated home designed especially for family day care. The space has been thoughtfully established with the children in mind. It still has that warm, homely feeling of a family day care, but with a beautiful balance of indoor and outdoor learning spaces where children can safely explore, play, learn, and grow in an environment created just for them.

Take us on a tour of the space and what the children are able to experience…
Our space is very nature-inspired and play-based. We have areas for creative play, messy play, quiet rest, reading, music, sensory experiences, and outdoor exploration. The children love our outdoor area where they can climb, ride bikes, dig in the sandpit, care for our worms, garden, and enjoy lots of fresh air and sunshine. Inside, we focus on creating calm and inviting spaces where children feel relaxed and inspired to learn through play.

What does a typical day look like for you and the children?
Every day is a little different depending on the children’s interests, but our days are usually filled with our morning walk to drop off the school children, outdoor play, music and movement, creative experiences, story time, sensory play, and lots of opportunities for connection and learning through everyday moments. 

We also make time for the children to rest and recharge throughout the day, before ending our afternoons by picking up our friends from school and enjoying our walk home together. 

I follow the children’s interests closely and aim to create experiences that are meaningful, engaging, and fun for them. For example, we recently took part in the Sunflower Parade in Emerald, and the Emerald Show 2026. We created artwork to the theme of “Gems in the Highlands” especially designed for our stall. We were all so excited to create these beautiful pieces together and have them proudly displayed at the show. It was such a special opportunity for the children to share their creativity with the wider community and be involved in another wonderful local event.

How do you communicate with families about their child’s progress and day?
Building strong relationships with families is so important to me. I use the Storypark platform to keep families updated throughout the day with photos, videos, and little stories about what their child has been enjoying and learning. I also love having open conversations at drop off and pick up times so families always feel connected and involved in their child’s care.

What are your opening hours?
I am open Monday to Friday, from 7:30am to 4:30pm.

How many children are you able to look after?
Each day I care for up to four children under school age, along with three children for before and after school care.

One of the beautiful things about family day care is the smaller group sizes. This allows me to provide more individualised care, build strong relationships with each child, and create a calm and nurturing environment where every child feels seen, supported, and valued. 

What’s been your most rewarding moment so far?
There have been so many little moments that mean so much: watching children build confidence, form friendships, achieve milestones, and seeing their little personalities shine to name a few. 

The cuddles I get from the children and seeing them run in, excited for the day ahead are moments that melts my heart. 

Knowing families trust me with such an important part of their child’s life is incredibly special and something I will never take for granted.

What’s something that has surprised you about running your own day care?
How much love and emotion goes into it! You become such a big part of the children’s lives and their families, and those connections are so meaningful. It’s busy and sometimes challenging but so incredibly rewarding.

What do you have planned for the rest of 2026?
I’m excited to continue growing the space and creating even more beautiful experiences for the children. We have lots of seasonal activities, nature play, community outings, and special celebrations planned, and I’m looking forward to continuing to build a strong little community around the service.

What’s one thing you wish more parents knew about family day care?
I wish more parents knew just how personal and nurturing family day care can be. The smaller group sizes allow children to build strong bonds, feel properly seen and supported, and learn in a calm environment that feels like home.

How can parents/carers find out more information and secure a spot for their child?
Families are always welcome to reach out through my Facebook or Instagram pages – @Little.Love.Care – or contact me directly on 0459 636 206. 

I am currently fully booked, which I’m incredibly grateful for, however I do have a waiting list available for families who would like to join our little community in the future if a spot becomes available. 

As places are limited, I can’t guarantee that a position will become available quickly, but I’m always happy to chat with families, add them to the waiting list and answer any questions they may have about family day care.