I'm Jode…. a qualified early childhood educator and Mum to twin 4 year old girls and a teenager and we are lucky enough to live and play on 8 acres on the Far North Coast of NSW, Australia.
I have a very patient and loving partner whom I call ‘His Patient Self' in my blogging adventures. He's the one you will see in photos building fantastic resources for our outdoor playspaces.
I started writing this blog to keep a chronicle of our daily fun and mayhem as a stay at home Mum and to remind myself and others that parenting isn't about perfection! It's still the reason I blog but also because I like to support and encourage other parents and educators with recipes, fun activity ideas, child friendly landscaping tips, and learning experiences from a home based environment.
I have a background in early childhood education and development so love to provide engaging, fun and often messy play activities for the twins as we move through the week. I particularly enjoy introducing them to fun experiences outdoors and helping them learn about animals and vegetables…where things come from!
I work from home as a family day care educator and love sharing my passion for play based learning and fun with the children that visit each day. I have a focus on Montessori and Reggio principles as well as sustainable practice within my service and believe outdoor play, getting messy, taking risks and having adventures should play a huge role in every child's life.
Through my posts I hope to inspire both parents and educators to provide fun learning experiences for children that cost very little, are easy to set up and often use recyclable materials.
As well as fun activity ideas and inspiration for parents, children and educators you will also find articles on some of my more chaotic parenting moments, recipes for fussy eaters, gardening, sustainability and landscaping child friendly play areas and spaces.
You might like to visit a few of these popular posts to get you started
Carrot, Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Mini Muffins
15 Strategies to Encourage SPD and Fussy Kids to Eat
Child Portfolios in early childhood settings – Are they necessary?
10 Favourite fussy toddler finger foods
DIY Recycled pallet projects for kids
I’m mother of two and a speech-language pathologist and have come across your blog on several occasions through pinterest and on google while surfing around the internet. I have to say I am really inspired by what you to at home/work with your girls and the little ones in your care. My children attend family day care and I’m so happy they enjoy such continuity of care and experience that sibling/home like care environment. I only wish my carer had your passion for child-lead, opened play in the beautiful outdoors. If only I could find a carer nearby with your same passion and commitment. Best of wishes for your family and your extended family of little visitors! Megan
Thanks for such a lovely message Megan! I think you need to have passion and a love of children to work with them everyday, can be exhausting but so worth the results in the end. So wonderful to hear your own children are attending FDC but wish you could find an educator that meets your needs, it can be hard I know. I’m always at a loss as to why some parents and educators don’t embrace play based learning and the wonder of outdoor play!thanks again for stopping by xx
Wow, Jodie, this is amazing! Well done. I would so much love to meet your twins. You must all have such fun together and it looks as though Ashleigh joins in too. lots of love, Val
Thanks for stopping by Val! I would love the girls to meet you too. We do have a lot of fun although they are definitely at the trying stage at the moment!So lovely to connect with you all on facebook again , much love xxx
My name is Frances & I am an educator with my own family day care for the past 6 years. You can never learn enough so my friend Kay Campbell has talked about you a lot & what she has learned from you.
I would love to be one of your followers too please.