Dianne Neill – EDUCATOR

I have been an educator with Coffs Harbour Family Day Care for almost 16 years. I was a mother of two young children and new to Coffs Harbour, so the idea of working from home fitted with my lifestyle. Being a care provider with Coffs Harbour Family Day Care made it possible for me to stay at home with my children while still being able to contribute to the family income.

I receive a lot of support through regular visits from Child Development Officers and I was assisted with the paper work and process of setting up a small business by the administration staff at the office.

My children are now young adults. When I reflect back on when I first started I see that I probably had the best of both worlds – watching my children grow up, being able to run my own business and at the same time help families who wished to return to the workforce to follow their own career paths.

When I see a child’s face light up when their parents arrive because they are eager to tell or show something they have done throughout the day, I know I have made a difference and it makes me proud of the career that I have chosen

I have received wonderful support from my own family and our family has grown and benefitted from our involvement with the children and families that have used care in our home.