The Art of Caring

Special note for Family Day Care Providers

From 1 July 2023 Family Day Care educators are required to hold as minimum, a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care to be eligible to open a Family Day Care business. A Cert III qualification in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30121) can be obtained through the NSW Family Day Care Association/PEAK Training. You can read more about Fee Free eligibility and enrolment HERE.

TERM 1: Online Sessions

• Pregnancy and Birth
  • Journey to Birth; Embryology
  • Well-being and self-care of the mother
  • Preparing the home environment – supportive practices
  • Preparing for the Birth

• The First Year of Life – Gestures of Caring (Part 1, 2, 3 and 4)
  • the 3-fold,4-fold human being; adjusting in the first 6 weeks; rhythms and relationships
  • Development of walking, talking, thinking; exploring the environment through Play; Reflexes
  • Nurturing relationships; importance of Sleep; protection of the Senses; providing the right environment
  • Importance of Sleep; importance of singing for bonding; transition into childcare

• The Development of the Teacher
  • Inner development; Co-working with colleagues in planning daily, weekly etc., collaborating; support networks

Delivery: weekly lectures | 1.5 hours each

Dates: 17 Feb – 31 March 2026 | Tuesdays 7.30pm – 9pm (AET).

Practical and creative workshops and presentations to be finalised

Delivery: In-Person over 3 days. Catering and materials included

Dates: 17 – 19 April 2026 | Lorien Novalis Steiner School, Dural NSW. Basic accommodation is available for a small fee.

TERM 2: Online Sessions

• The Inner Development of the Teacher (part 2)
  • Observing children; Reflecting on children’s behaviour and Self-reflection; Empowering the carer – use of voice in caring environment

• Introduction to Child Development from Birth to Seven
  • (key developmental milestones; the child’s dream consciousness; Importance of Play & fostering self-initiated play; Challenging Behaviours

• The development of the child in the third year of life
  • development of consciousness through exploring environment; The being and attitude of the caregiver as example – importance of IMITATION; attachment and separation
  • observation the changes in plant and animal world through the year; exploring the four elements, esp. earth and water; Sensory experiences in the indoor play environment: diverse materials

• The Importance of Rhythm
  • Looking at The Cycle of the year, the week and the day; festivals and the nature table; working with celebrations – when, who, what; involvement and communication with parents

• Storytelling
  • Importance of Storytelling; simple stories from daily life, and nature stories, told by using props; age appropriateness of songs, games and stories

• The Twelve Senses (Part 1)
  • Introduction to the 12 Senses; Developing the lower (foundational) 4 senses; child as a ‘sponge’; the practical of the Sense of Life; Importance of understanding and supporting the Senses

Delivery: weekly lectures | 1.5 hours each

Dates: 12 May – 23 June 2026 | Tuesdays 7.30pm – 9pm (AET).

TERM 3: Online Sessions

• The Twelve Senses (Part 2, 3 and 4)
  • Sensory play; senses supported in Circle Time; Memory built up through – imitation – repetition; purposeful human activity – the practical professional; creating the care environment; domestic arts
  • Meeting & counteracting societal demands on children’s social and intellectual abilities in the third year; expectations of early intellectual learning; the issue of dependency on visual stimuli caused by screen culture
  • Nurturing autonomy in play & breaking dependency on being entertained; the work of the adult as protective sheath for children; sensory play, circle time, finger play; special needs, diversity, inclusion

• How to set up and run a Family Day Care (Part 1 and 2) 
  • Special features of family day care based on Steiner Education
  • Difference between FDC and Playgroup; how to start and conduct a FDC or play group
  • Planning the space; setting up the room; outdoor environment/garden; toys and equipment; creating daily, weekly and seasonal rhythm; Role of teacher

• How to set up and run a Playgroup 
  • Setting up the Playgroup environment; the Playgroup Program; creating a rhythm of the day/week; observing and keeping records; dealing with a sick child; the role of the Playgroup teacher; the role of the adult who accompanies the children to Playgroup sessions; communicating with parents

• Course Feedback, Presentations and Sharing from participants and tutors

Delivery: weekly lectures | 1.5 hours each

Dates: 21 July – 1 Sept 2026 | Tuesdays 7.30pm – 9pm (AET).