Easy Mind - Clare Grace

A desire to offer children the best of both worlds - the social contact and stimulation of daycare, and the personal care and attention of home - led Hamilton mother and grandmother Clare Grace to start her own home-based childcare service that met these goals.

And it seems Clare was on the same wavelength as a lot of working parents - what began as a small operation in Hamilton in 2002 has grown into a nationwide home-based daycare service. In March, 2009 Easy Mind opened its newest branch in Invercargill, and they currently have more than 400 educators caring for more than 1300 children across the country.

Clare, who has more than 21 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, says Easy Mind offers the perfect childcare solution for working parents: the next best thing to their own home.
"Easy Mind provides warm, nurturing, positive environments that are welcoming, safe, caring and supportive so that children and their families develop a true sense of belonging," she says.
"Individual abilities, interests and talents are recognised and stimulated both within the home and through utilizing resources within the wider community."

Children receive the same high standard of care that they would receive in a daycare centre, and Easy Mind's home-based educators keep a learning journal for each child in their care to help keep parents in touch with what their children are doing during their time in care, and to provide a lasting record for children to keep.

In addition to the usual in-home activities, children also get to attend community-based activities such as playgroups and music and movement sessions, and visit local parks and libraries for further enrichment.

For more information about Easy Mind, visit www.easymind.co.nz
 

Clare Grace doing what she does best - working with children