Family daycare provider incorporating Japanese and Australian culture into care

Kaori says the advantage of family daycare, is that it allows for more one-on-one interaction, and the ability to provide care that looks at the needs of each child.

Japanese family daycare provider, Kaori Sloan Source: Kaori Sloan

Kaori Sloan opened her family daycare, Niko Niko Family Daycare in 2019.

Situated in the leafy suburb of Wahroonga, in Sydney's Upper North Shore, Kaori incorporates both the Japanese and Australian culture and language into the curriculum. 

"Niko-Niko" means "smile" in Japanese, and Kaori hopes to bring smile and happiness to children through play and learning.

Kaori incorporates　Japanese cultural events into her curriculum　 Source: Kaori Sloan

Not all children in the care is Japanese. Yet Kaori has been very surprised at how quickly some children have developed the Japanese language. "They can speak very fluently" says Kaori.

Unlike the large centres with many carers  and children, having  just four children at a time means, more one-on-one time with the children, says Kaori. With more time and resources to develop programs angled at each child's needs and personality, family daycare is a great environment to prepare the children into 'big school'.

Hands on with nature to enhance senses Source: Kaori Sloan

Kaori who worked as a midwife in Japan, arrived in Australia 16 years ago, to learn about the differences in medical care between Japan and Australia.

"I knew nothing about family daycare" says Kaori.

"Many years ago, when my first child was born, a friend who visited pointed out how great the house was to run a family daycare"

"Back then, I had no capacity to think beyond looking after my own 3 children, but that comment always stayed with me"

After her third child entered preschool, Kaori thought it was time to "do something for myself".

After studying to obtain certificate 3 in early childhood education, she opened Niko Niko Family Daycare.

Kaori incorporates both the Japanese and English language Source: Kaori Sloan

It's not an easy task, opening your own home for other children, whilst looking after your own family. With international students also living under the same roof, the Sloan's are one big family.

Kaori says the daycare is also a great learning environment for her own children as well. Her children are expected to be a good role model for the young children, and be extra cautious with the tone of language as well as attitude. 

For Kaori, to see children smile and have a good time, and the development they show over time, is enough to keep her going in this seemingly busy and chaotic lifestyle.

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