Not just her own family that is; as a family day care educator, the Gerogery mum provides before and after-school hours care for five families.

She also works in administration two days a week while her two young sons, aged 2 and 4, attend family day care themselves.

But from February 3, she’ll have to quit her administration job; the federal government’s new family day care rules means Mrs Villiers can no longer afford to do both.

“I was distressed and anxious for a good week thinking what am I going to do,” she said.

“I’ve had these families with me for years and I couldn’t let them down, knowing there’s no other services around.”

The Villiers had their routine down pat; Mrs Villiers runs before-school care while her husband takes the little ones to family day care in Thurgoona so she can go to work for a few hours.

Then it’s a pick up after 2pm and back home to Gerogery for the after-school session.

“I chose family day care because one of my children is quite sensitive and he wouldn’t cope well in long day care,” she said.

Her before and after-school care also provides a vital service to the area: there’s no other services locally and the children’s school, Jindera Public, doesn’t offer them.