Magic Fronds Treeschool Heathcote proudly celebrating National Family Day Care Week

When family day care (FDC) Educator Gordana Raketic is asked to describe her service, Magic Fronds Treeschool Heathcote, she says it is her “sanctuary, place of work and shared passions all in one wonderful place”.

This week Gordana and the children in her care will celebrate National Family Day Care Week by hosting an Indigenous Australian bush picnic.

Although she has worked in several other childcare services in New South Wales Sutherland Shire, she was drawn to the FDC model, and incorporates the natural beauty of her local environment into her program. 

“I learnt what works, what doesn’t, what children respond best to, testing creative ideas,” she told local media source The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader. 

“I wanted to create inviting spaces both indoors and outdoors for children that encourage independent learning through nature, wonder, play and discovery.”

Activities like making ‘magic’ potions, having treasure hunts, exploring the life cycle of frogs, collecting fresh eggs from free range chickens, climbing trees and going on bush walks have all been established parts of the program for many years. 

“I also realised I was very passionate about the natural world, sustainability, social justice, Aboriginal culture and open-ended creativity,” Gordana added. 

“I knew I didn’t want children spending most of their time indoors, colouring in stencils and following strict routines.”

Gordana’s home is across the road from Heathcote National Park and both her front and back gardens are filled with natural bush rock, lots of trees and “lovely, meandering gardens,” along with a street which is safe and filled with community spirit.

Working with a small group of children, she says, allows her to provide one-on-one attention and encourage each child’s interests. 

To read the original coverage of this story, please see here. For more information about National FDC Week, please see here.