Family Day Care provides care for children in registered Educator’s (Carers) homes. Educators are recruited and resourced by the co-ordination unit, which is licensed by NSW State Government. All co-ordination unit staff and Educators have undertaken current professional development, with Educators holding Certificate III in Children’s Services and staff holding a Diploma in Children’s Services (or equivalent).    

We aim to nurture and inspire our community’s children.

Community Services Children’s Services Regulations 2004 provides a framework for the provision of high quality childcare service auspiced by the Peninsula Community Centre.

About Family Day Care

What is Family Day Care?

Family Day Care is a quality home-based childcare service that’s been actively caring for Australian children for over 30 years.

Imagine your child in a small group of 4 to 5 children, playing, learning and having fun with a childcare educator they know and trust. Families choose family day care for the unique home based environment and individualised care that their child receives.

Today’s working environment is no longer the traditional 9am to 5pm routine. Family Day Care offers flexible, affordable, high quality childcare that meets the individual needs of each family. Care can be provided for children aged birth to 12 years but largely aimed at children aged from birth to 5 years. Primary school children may also receive care before and after school, and during school vacations.                                                

Educators work in partnership with Peninsula & District Family Day Care Co-ordination unit, which is sponsored by Peninsula Community Centre Inc. Educators are visited regularly by trained staff who monitor the children’s progress and provide support, resources and ongoing training in contemporary childcare practises.

Staff are also the initial contact point for advice and information about family day care, and they will work with you to match your childcare needs with the best care environment for your child.

Family day care is regulated by Community Services- Children’s Services Regulations 2004, and Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

Parent Information

New South Wales has over one hundred family day care services. All early childhood services are regulated by Community Services who are responsible for the compliance of the Children’s Services Regulations 2004. The criteria to become an Educator are set in the Children’s Services Regulations, Scheme Policy’s and Family Day Care Quality Assurance. The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations contribute operational funding to support the Co-ordination Unit. The service also acquires additional funds from the clients and Educators.

Role of the Co-ordination Unit Staff                               

• Oversee each child’s placement and monitor their development in care. This is done through offering ongoing support to Educators and families through regular visit, interviews, telephone contact, newsletters and professional development.

• Offer advice and resources on current child care practises.

• Monitor hygiene and safety of the care environment.

• Arrange outings and excursions for Educators, children and families.

• Administer child care benefit Educators. 

• Research and develop service policy and procedure in conjunction with Educators’, families and the community. 

Why Should You Choose Family Day Care

• Government Funded – Child Care Benefits available to families through the Family Assistance Office.
• Flexible childcare for children aged 0-12 years – This type of care is suitable to children who respond to a small group setting in a home environment with individual attention from warm caring childcare Educators.
• Safe, quality care in a family home environment – Every effort is made to match your requirements to an appropriate care service provider. Service can provide permanently booked, casual, overnight or weekend care for children aged 0 to 12 years.
• Qualified Staff – The Co-ordination Unit staff are all early childhood trained offering ongoing support by

1. Visiting Educators while your child is in care.

2. Observing and recording your child’s developmental progress.

3. Assessing the safety and hygiene of the Educators service.

4. Organising back-up care for you if your regular care provider is unavailable.

5. Offer advice and support.

• Registered and Trained Care Educators – The Co-ordination Unit select Educators with the appropriate criteria set out in the Children’s Services Regulations, Scheme Policy and Family Day Care Quality Assurance. Educators’ must have:

1. A clear ‘working with children’ check for any adult living in their home.

2. A current Senior First Aid certificate.

3. Be a fit and proper person to be concerned in the provision of the service.

4. Be physically and emotionally able to care for young children.

5. An understanding of children’s needs and development.

6. Be aware of and sensitive to the needs of children and their families

7. Be able to communicate effectively with adults and children.

Become a Family Day Care Educator

What are the benefits of becoming a Family Day Care Educator?

If the idea of running your own childcare business from home with the support of the Co-ordination Unit appeals to you then why not give us a call. Family Day Care is supported by the Commonwealth Government and offers benefits for educators and families. As an educator you can:

1. Run a business from home.

2. Work with children 0 to 12 years.

3. Look after your own children while working.

4. Work independently under the guidance from the Co-ordination Unit.

5. Have company for your own children.

6. Be part of a team of local child care Educators.

7. Enjoy the support and resources from the Co-ordination Unit.

What do I need to become a Family Day Care Educator?

• Complete the registration process including interviews, medical, referee reports, working with children checks and scheme training.
• Completed minimum of Certificate III in Children’s Services or currently enrolled.
• Your home (care area) must meet Government safety standards.
• Attend ongoing professional development.
• Participate in the National Quality Assurance process.
• Be committed to providing a professional high quality childcare service.
• Be 18 years or over and have or will to obtain a current Senior First Aid certificate.
• Prohibited persons are ineligible to apply.

How do families find an Educator?

Families contact the Co-ordination unit with their request for care. A suitable Educator is contacted regarding the placement and an enrolment process is undertaken. Where possible, more than one Educator is available for families to meet.

What about income?

Educators are self employed, thus set their own fees taking into account business costs and affordability. Parents pay the Educator direct their portion of the fee, while the Co-ordination Unit pays the Childcare Benefit portion fortnightly to the Educator.

Forms

• Enrolment Package.

• Becoming a Family Day Care Educator package.

• Change of details form.

Useful Websites

• Family Day Care Australia.www.familydaycare.com.au

• Roads and Traffic. www.rta.nsw.gov.au

• Kids Safe. www.kidsafensw.gov.au

• Families NSW www.families.nsw.gov.au

• Department of Education and Workplace Relations www.deewr.gov.au

• Keep Them Safe www.keepthemsafe.nsw.gov.au

• Cancer Council www.cancercouncil.com.au

  USEFUL NUMBERS • Interpreting service 131 450 • Translating 1300655080