Hi, my name is Renae. I am a mum to twin girls who are now young adults and I operate Cherish by Ren Family Day Care in Cannonvale with Whitsunday Shire Family Day Care. I hold a Diploma of Children’s Services and have built a career in the early childhood sector over the past 20 years.

My experience includes roles in long day care centres, as a teacher’s aide in a C&K Kindergarten and in my most fulfilling and rewarding role as a Family Day Care Educator since December 2008. These experiences have shaped my strong understanding of children’s development and learning.

Both my indoor and outdoor environments are play-based and thoughtfully set up to support children to explore, discover and learn. Through individual play, small group experiences and free play, children engage in learning around nature, science, technology, cooking and problem-solving in meaningful and age-appropriate ways.

My program encourages children to be creative and imaginative, develop new skills, share responsibility and build strong self-help and independence skills. Learning experiences are designed to stimulate, extend and enhance each child’s interests, growth and development.

I strongly value family involvement and encourage families to actively participate in the program by sharing their culture, language, experiences, interests or aspects of their home and lifestyle. These partnerships help create a sense of belonging and enrich children’s learning.

To further support social skills and confidence, I organise regular outings to a fellow educator’s home and attend local library story time. These experiences give children opportunities to interact with peers in different settings, practise communication skills and build positive relationships in preparation for school and the wider community.