by Victoria Edmond
The Big Hearted Podcast has been created for educators to find inspiration and gather ideas for their own educational practice and to help broaden their perspectives on all aspects from education and care practices, to business and balancing their lives. Victoria Edmond has been involved with early years education for well over a decade. She has been the managing Director of Rainbow Bridge Family Day Care since 2012, and branched out with business partners Marta Koncz and Jess Thomas to create Big Hearted Education. After seeing how educators had difficulties with understanding the programming requirements, felt isolated and unsupported in their role, and had at times very little business guidance, they set about creating courses and resources to help educators feel confident in their own abilities. The Big Hearted Podcast is released weekly and features solo episodes from Victoria, as well as interviews with educators and specialists who can help educators to look at their business from a unique perspective.
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Publishing Since
10/4/2022
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March 6, 2025
<h2><strong>Hello, my lovely listeners!</strong></h2> <p>This week, I’m diving into something <strong>crucial for every family day care educator</strong>—being prepared for when things go wrong. Whether it’s <strong>natural disasters, unexpected closures, or financial hiccups</strong>, too many educators are <strong>one emergency away from financial stress</strong>.</p> <p>This episode isn’t about fear—it’s about <strong>empowerment</strong>. It’s about <strong>taking control, planning ahead, and making sure you have the safety nets in place</strong> to protect yourself, your business, and your well-being. Because <strong>no one is coming to save you</strong>—you have to take charge of your own future.</p> <h3> </h3> <h2><strong>What I Covered in This Episode:</strong></h2> <ul> <li><strong>Why Charging Your Worth is Essential</strong></li> </ul> <p>One of the biggest mistakes I see educators making? <strong>Undervaluing their work</strong>. You are not “profiting off the children” (let’s shut that idea down right now!). You are <strong>profiting off your hard work</strong>, your resources, and your expertise. And that’s how it should be! If you’re still operating at the CCS cap, <strong>you’re working below minimum wage</strong>—and that’s not sustainable.</p> <ul> <li><strong>The Importance of Emergency Funds</strong></li> </ul> <p>Imagine you had to close for a week—could you afford it? Having an emergency fund means you can <strong>take time off without stress</strong>. Even setting aside <strong>one day’s pay per season</strong> can make a difference.</p> <ul> <li><strong>Why You Need Income Protection & Disability Insurance</strong></li> </ul> <p>This is <strong>the one thing I want you to take action on today</strong>. Pick up the phone and call your super company. <strong>Make sure you have income protection and total permanent disability insurance</strong>. It’s a small cost now but could be life-changing if you ever need it.</p> <ul> <li><strong>How Clear Policies Can Save You From Stress</strong></li> </ul> <p>If you’re still accepting payments from families yourself, you NEED a strict policy in place. <strong>No more chasing unpaid fees!</strong> If a family won’t pay now, they won’t pay later. Have a <strong>clear payment policy</strong>, enforce it, and protect yourself from financial loss.</p> <ul> <li><strong>The Power of Community & Self-Care</strong></li> </ul> <p>Your support network matters. Whether it’s <strong>fellow educators, a professional mentor, or a trusted friend</strong>, having people to lean on can make all the difference. <strong>And don’t forget to look after yourself!</strong> Regular self-care (yes, even in the chaos!) helps you <strong>think clearly, problem-solve effectively, and avoid burnout</strong>.</p> <h3> </h3> <h3><strong>5 Ways to Protect Yourself & Your Business</strong></h3> <ul> <li><strong>Charge your worth</strong> – Your work is valuable, and you deserve to be paid fairly.</li> <li><strong>Build a financial buffer</strong> – Start small, but start today.</li> <li><strong>Sort out your insurance</strong> – It’s not a “nice-to-have”, it’s a must.</li> <li><strong>Set clear policies & enforce them</strong> – Stop letting unpaid fees drain your income.</li> <li><strong>Lean on your community</strong> – Support makes all the difference.</li> </ul> <h3> </h3> <h3><strong>A Few Final Thoughts:</strong></h3> <p>Tough times will come—that’s life. But with the right <strong>financial, practical, and emotional safety nets</strong>, you can <strong>navigate challenges without spiralling into stress</strong>.</p> <p><strong>Your challenge this week:</strong> Call your super company. <strong>Check your insurance cover and make sure you’re protected.</strong> This is one small step that could make a huge impact on your future.</p> <h3> </h3> <h3><strong>Let’s Keep the Conversation Going:</strong></h3> <p>Did this episode hit home for you? What’s one thing you’re going to change in your family day care business to be better prepared? <strong>Send me a message or leave a comment—I’d love to hear from you!</strong></p> <p>Thanks for spending this time with me today. Let’s continue to <strong>advocate for slow, intentional, and heart-centred education.</strong> </p> <p>Speak soon! 💛</p>
February 26, 2025
<h1><strong>Hello, my lovely listeners!</strong></h1> <p>This week, we’re diving into a topic that I know many of you have questions about—<strong>slow pedagogy</strong>. What is it really? How do we explain it to families in a way that makes sense? And most importantly, how do we help them see that it’s not about letting children run wild, but about creating intentional, meaningful learning experiences?</p> <p>If you’ve ever had a parent ask, “But how will my child be ready for school?” or “Why aren’t they bringing home worksheets?”—then this episode is for you!</p> <p> </p> <h2><strong>What I Covered in This Episode:</strong></h2> <p><strong>1. Why Slow Pedagogy is Misunderstood</strong></p> <p>Many families (and even some educators) hear child-led and assume it means chaotic or unstructured. But slow pedagogy is actually the complete opposite—it’s about creating a thoughtful, deeply engaging environment where children can explore, learn, and grow at their own pace.</p> <p><strong>2. Shifting the Language for Parents</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Instead of saying “We let children lead their learning,” try:</span><br>• “We create an environment where children develop independence, creativity, and confidence by exploring at their own pace.”</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Instead of saying “I don’t follow rigid schedules,” try:</span><br>• “I have a flexible routine that allows children to engage deeply in learning rather than rushing from one activity to the next.”</p> <p>The words we use matter, and small shifts like this can help parents better understand and appreciate the value of what we do.</p> <p><strong>3. Making Learning Visible</strong></p> <p>Since slow pedagogy doesn’t produce the traditional “proof” of learning (like worksheets or daily craft projects), we need to <strong>showcase learning in action</strong>:<br>• Take photos of deep engagement in play<br>• Share videos of problem-solving moments<br>• Use storytelling to explain what’s happening behind the scenes</p> <p>When parents can see the learning happening, they’ll start to value the process over the product.</p> <p><strong>4. Addressing the Big Question: “Will My Child Be Ready for School?”</strong></p> <p>Let’s rethink what school readiness actually means. It’s not about rote learning—it’s about children developing the skills they need to thrive. In this episode, I unpack why:<br>• Being able to communicate their needs is more important than writing their name<br>• Managing emotions and handling disappointment is key to confidence<br>• Everyday skills like opening a lunchbox or putting away their belongings are school-readiness essentials</p> <h3> </h3> <h2><strong>Practical Ideas You Can Use Straight Away:</strong></h2> <p>• Use simple, relatable analogies (cooking, gym training, learning to walk) to explain slow pedagogy<br>• Help parents observe the learning by giving them a lens: “Today, your child was exploring mathematical concepts through filling and emptying buckets in the sandpit.”<br>• Host stay-and-play sessions so parents can see the magic happening firsthand<br>• Use social media and newsletters to regularly communicate the why behind your approach</p> <h2> </h2> <h2><strong>Why This Matters:</strong></h2> <p>We live in a fast-paced world, and children are constantly being rushed from one thing to the next. Slow pedagogy gives them space to <strong>breathe, think, and truly engage</strong>. But for it to work, we need parents on board. Having these conversations and <strong>educating families</strong> is just as important as the work we do with children.</p> <h3> </h3> <h2><strong>What’s Coming Up:</strong></h2> <p>• <strong>Helicopter to Hands-Off</strong> – A practical training on stepping back and fostering independence in children. Starts <strong>4th March</strong>! - <a href="https://www.bigheartededucation.com/helicopter-to-handsoff">Register Here</a></p> <h3> </h3> <h2><strong>Your Challenge This Week:</strong></h2> <p>Next time you’re talking to a parent about their child’s day, <strong>reframe your language</strong>. Instead of simply saying, “They played in the garden,” explain the deep learning that happened. Let’s start shifting the conversation and helping families see the beauty of slow pedagogy!</p> <h3> </h3> <h2><strong>Let’s Keep the Conversation Going:</strong></h2> <p>Have you had pushback from families about play-based learning? How do you explain slow pedagogy in your setting? I’d love to hear from you! Send me a message or leave a comment.</p> <p> </p> <p>Thanks for spending this time with me today. Let’s continue to <strong>advocate for slow, intentional, and heart-centred education.</strong> </p> <p>Speak soon! 💛</p> <p> </p>
February 18, 2025
<h3><strong>Hello, my lovely listeners!</strong></h3> <p>This week, we’re diving into something so close to my heart—<strong>supporting children’s independence</strong>. If you’ve ever found yourself rushing to do things for children instead of with them, or if you’re wondering how to step back and truly empower the little ones in your care, this episode is for you.</p> <p>Independence isn’t about children doing everything alone—it’s about giving them the space, trust, and skills to feel capable and confident in their own abilities. So let’s explore what this looks like in practice and how we, as educators, can move from <strong>directors</strong> to <strong>facilitators</strong> in their learning journeys.</p> <h3> </h3> <h3><strong>What I Covered in This Episode:</strong></h3> <strong>Why Independence is the Heart of School Readiness</strong> <p>Forget rote learning and worksheets—true <strong>school readiness</strong> is about <strong>emotional regulation, communication, and responsibility</strong>. If children can express their needs, manage their emotions, and take ownership of small tasks, they’re on the right track.</p> <strong>The Biggest Barrier to Independence? Us.</strong> <p>Oof. This one might sting a little. But it’s true—the biggest hurdle to children developing independence is often <strong>the adults in their lives</strong>. We step in too quickly, we do things for them instead of with them, and we rush transitions. I share how to <strong>reframe our mindset</strong> so we can start truly trusting children’s capabilities.</p> <strong>The Art of Facilitating Instead of Directing</strong> <p>As educators, we need to <strong>give just enough support—but not too much</strong>. I’ll walk you through how to balance guidance with letting go, so children can problem-solve, take risks, and feel the deep satisfaction of mastering new skills.</p> <strong>Let’s Talk Transitions</strong> <p>Morning routines, meal prep, getting ready for outside play—these are all golden opportunities for children to practise independence. But when we rush them, we rob children of that chance. I share simple ways to <strong>slow down</strong> and create smoother transitions that encourage self-sufficiency.</p> <h3> </h3> <h3><strong>Five Simple Ways to Support Independence Today:</strong></h3> <ul> <li><strong>Pause before helping.</strong> Instead of jumping in, take a breath and ask, “What do you think you could try next?” Give them time to process and problem-solve.</li> <li><strong>Trust that they are capable.</strong> When we stop hovering and start believing in their abilities, children rise to the challenge.</li> <li><strong>Give them real responsibilities.</strong> Putting away their shoes, setting the table, packing their bag—small tasks build confidence in big ways.</li> <li><strong>Slow down your transitions.</strong> Rushing creates stress (for us and for them). Give clear cues and allow time for children to move through routines at their own pace.</li> <li><strong>Celebrate effort, not just outcomes.</strong> Whether it’s putting on socks or pouring water, focus on the process rather than perfection.</li> </ul> <h3> </h3> <h3><strong>A Direct Quote from Me in This Episode:</strong></h3> <p class="cvGsUA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body"><span class="OYPEnA font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none">“If we don’t trust the children, they are never going to trust themselves. Imagine being an adult who grows up not trusting that they can do things and they can manage in life. Like, what are we doing? Honestly, like what are we doing? We do not allow children to play unsupervised under the helicopter anymore.</span></p> <p class="cvGsUA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body"><span class="OYPEnA font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none">And it happens in early childhood education too. And I understand the need for supervision when you're dealing with other people's children and preventable things are happening. Like, there needs to be accountability in that.”</span></p> <h3> </h3> <h3><strong>What’s Coming Up:</strong></h3> <ul> <li><strong>Helicopter to Hands-Off Free Workshop</strong> – Learn how to stop hovering and start empowering. <a href="http://www.bigheartededucation.com/helicopter-to-hands-off">Register Here</a> (Starts 4th March!)</li> <li><strong>Essential Elements Course</strong> – A deep dive into creating a calm, purposeful practice that supports children’s independence. <a href="https://www.bigheartededucation.com/essential-elements">Join the waitlist</a></li> </ul> <h3> </h3> <h3><strong>Your Challenge This Week:</strong></h3> <p>Take a step back and observe. Where are you stepping in too quickly? Try pausing before offering help and see what happens when you <strong>give children space</strong> to try first.</p> <h3> </h3> <h3><strong>Let’s Keep the Conversation Going!</strong></h3> <p>I’d love to hear from you—what’s one way you’re fostering independence in your family day care setting? Send me a message or leave a comment!</p> <p>Thanks for being here, for the work you do, and for joining me on this journey towards <strong>Big Hearted Education</strong>. Let’s keep lifting children up by trusting them to shine.</p> <p>Speak soon! 💛</p>
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