Growing interest in home schooling inspires Mum to set up online directory

Bethan Davies with her homeschooled kids Ewan and Holly and their pet chook and guinea pig. 

A growing number of Sunshine Coast families are opting to educate their children at home, according to the founder of a website designed to assist parents do just that.

Homeschool Heart Founder Bethan Davies, of Ilkley, said the numbers of activities available to families became so vast she saw the need for a directory of “all things local and homeschool”

“In the last two years the homeschool community has transformed,” Bethan said. “The number of families is much bigger and the connections between business and homeschoolers have grown and developed.”

Much of the growth had been a result of parents’ opposition to Covid and vaccine mandates.

“Many families removed their children following the introduction of masks and the desire not to vaccinate their children,” she said.

“Plus during the lockdown schooling-at-home period many parents found that their kids where significantly happier at home.”

Bethan said teachers who left the system had begun to create new ways of sharing their knowledge and skills with others. She said with restrictions still in place for the education sector many teachers had opted to go it alone.

“This influx of families and educators has led to changes. Unlike previous homeschooling families, many of the new ones still need days with a drop off option for their kids.

“The numbers of activities available to families has become so big, I created a directory of all things local and homeschool.

“HomeschoolHeart.com.au is a labour of love to share the amazing offerings from people in our local communities. People will find a variety of options available to support our local kids. The creative ways business and families are working together is both heart-warming and inspiring.
Homeschoolers are often out and about, learning within our community.

“A growing area is mentorship and skill sharing; local artists, craftspeople and professionals who would love to facilitate a small workshop or be a mentor are able to list on the directory. It feels like the Sunshine Coast and hinterlands are a melting pot of this new layer of education. Flowers are blooming in the mud.”

• For more information go to www.HomeschoolHeart.com.au.