Amanda Hames makes a go of Family Day Care with the support of BHP and Wanslea

Amanda Hames is a small business owner, early childhood educator, and resident of the West Australian community of Newman, the largest town in the East Pilbara. 

Described as ‘an oasis in the outback’ Newman is a key regional centre, with aspirations to increase its current population from 8,000 people to 15,000 – something that can only happen with strong support for workers and their families. 

To support this growth early childhood education and care (ECEC) provider Wanslea has teamed up with a major employer in the region, BHP, to increase availability through growing family day care (FDC) options in the town. 

Ms Hames is one of several educators in the region who have been supported to grow their business through the partnership, which sees BHP providing educators with premises and grant funding to fit them out and to purchase equipment. 

Wanslea, in turn, recruits FDC educators, provides them with training, supports with professional development, and governs the program. 

Without the support of the program, Ms Hames said, she would not have been able to start her FDC business, something which she’s finding rewarding. 

“The funding enabled me to purchase the essentials I needed to get the business started. BHP also supplied me with a separate house from my personal home to run the FDC. This has helped me separate my work and private life so I can focus more on leaving work at work,” she shared.

“It’s incredibly rewarding watching their parents’ smiles, knowing that their children are happy from the day they’ve had,” she added. 

To learn more about the program please see here.