Welcome to Tree Tots family day care where the child always comes first.

 Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Inga Phillips.  I am 57 years of age. I am a Christian and a single mum of two wonderful daughters. (25years and 24years) I was the youngest of a family of 4 children. A family that fostered many other children during my primary school years. I guess that’s probably where my love for children began. Watching my own mother so freely give her love to children who really needed it.

Tree Tots family day care began in 2003, with my own two girls then being only 2 and 3 years of age. I thoroughly loved being a mum and watching my own girls grow and develop into little people always has and still does, give me great pleasure. I have always loved being around young children and having been a Sunday school teacher for many years (with 3 to 6 year old children), family day care as a profession became almost a natural progression. So…with much training, a fair share of stress and a lot of wonderful support from the team at the Yarra Ranges Council family day care scheme; Tree Tots family day care was born. The name came about due to my original location, very much high up in the trees on a very steep property in Monbulk. In 2007 I moved to Olinda and continued working with the shire. With the closing of the Yarra Ranges Council Family Day Care Scheme at end of 2015, I transferred to  Foundations Family Day Care, and have remained with them till the present day.

 Being a mum of young children myself, I know first hand what concerns you as parents. There is nothing so important as the little children placed in our care. These early years so very important in a child’s development. I realize that each child is unique. They have unique abilities, unique interests, as well as unique needs. It is up to us as their guiding adults to do everything in our power to help them on their way to becoming the best people they can become. 

Within My program I promote the early years learning framework in which Belonging, Being and Becoming are a focus. My  goal is to work in collaboration with you as parents and help your child to always feel safe, loved, and welcome in my home, whilst giving them the best possible chance of learning and experiencing wonderful insights whilst they play and grow. Their wellbeing is a high priority.

 Being a Christian, I do not allow any ‘killing’ games or toys of violence (eg: guns or knives) whilst children are in my care. It is also a priority within my programs to incorporate the development of strong moral values within each child. (Although I do encourage good manners and values for life, I do not, however, give religious instruction to your child) All children are taught to share and care for those around them whilst building up their own self esteem. Every child is special no matter how different they are, Or from what religious background they may come.

We do celebrate the common Christian holidays (ie Easter and Christmas)

The children will be able to explore both the Christian stories behind these celebrations and we will also enjoy the fun side of the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus with a tree and all the trimmings. Children need to have fun. Occasionally, throughout the year we may also explore the various celebrations of other cultures, enabling the child to gain an insight into the wonderful world around them and the diverse cultures of many different people.

We also do celebrate birthdays to ensure that each child will feel important. For birthdays I do request that parents NOT send cakes etc. in case of allergies and dietary restrictions of other children in care. Instead, I always prepare a cake myself that I know is safe for all the children and we celebrate the child’s special day together.

In Family Day Care the curriculum is based on the Victorian Early Years Learning Framework and ensures the 5 learning outcomes are developed for each child

These being

LO1: Children have a strong sense of Identity

LO2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world

LO3: Children have a strong sense of wellbeing

LO4: Children are confident and involved learners

LO5: Children are effective communicators

With Foundations family day care we also focus on the Phoenix Cups Framework as part of our planning for your child. As human beings, we all have needs that need to be met. When they aren’t met, life doesn’t function the way it should. Our behaviour changes, our mood is affected, and we often feel unfulfilled. Using the Phoenix Cups Framework helps the educator understand how to better meet your child's most important life needs, and the needs of those around them, by discovering what cups the child needs to keep full, how they influence their behaviour, and how we can use them to build relationships in all aspects of life.