When Jordan's family day care service opened in Logan, south of Brisbane, it addressed a shortage that had left several local families on centre waitlists for over a year. "I had three enquiries in my first week just from word of mouth," Jordan says.

Jordan spent a decade working in hospitality management before retraining in early childhood education. "I wanted a career that felt meaningful, and I wanted to be the kind of educator I wish my own kids had access to when they were little."

For Priya, a nurse working rotating shifts, having a local educator changed what was possible. "Night shifts used to mean scrambling for last-minute care. Jordan's been flexible enough to take my daughter early in the morning after a night shift, which most centres just can't offer."

"Family day care lets me build my day around what the children actually need, not a fixed centre timetable," Jordan explains. "Some days that's more outdoor time, some days it's quiet indoor play if someone's had a rough night's sleep."

Setting up wasn't without its challenges. Jordan spent several months upgrading the backyard to meet safety and licensing requirements, including new fencing and a dedicated all-weather play area. "It was a big investment, but the funding support and guidance I received made the compliance side much less overwhelming than I expected."

Now supporting six families across four days a week, Jordan has become a familiar, trusted presence in the local community. "A lot of my families found me through other parents. That word-of-mouth trust is something a big centre just doesn't have in the same way."

Jordan's advice to anyone considering the same path: "Don't underestimate how much support is out there to help you get started. If you care about kids and want more control over how you work, this could be exactly what you're looking for."