FAMILY DAY CARE FAQs

How many children will one educator be caring for?

Educators in our Family Day Care services are able to work alone or with one other educator (their assistant). Either way, they are allowed to have up to 4 pre-school aged children at a time or up to 7 school-aged children. They are only allowed to have a total of 7 children in their home at any one time (so they could have 3 pre-school aged and 4 school age, for example). We do not allow educators to care for more than two children under the age of one on any given day.

If Educators are alone caring for children, how is my child being kept safe?

Our Educators are closely monitored and screened to ensure that they are quality, caring educators. All family day care educators hold a minimum of a Cert 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care, a valid working with children check blue card and have positive police checks.

They report online to us daily regarding all activities that they undertake, including nappy changes, eating and sleep times. Their homes are assessed for safety before they begin care and then again monthly. They are required to keep risk management plans, maintenance and cleaning records and daily environment safety checks.

Our Family Day Care Co-ordinator is intentional about visiting our family day care homes unannounced regularly so we can be assured of the quality of care being provided.

Families are matched very closely with educators that they feel comfortable with and all our homes have “open door” policies so parents of the children being cared for can visit at any time without notice.

Educators are required to update families daily with photographs and videos of their child.

All adults who reside at the residence must hold positive working with children check blue cards. All visitors to the home must sign in and out. Any contractors must have blue cards.

You can ask to see our Home Assessment for any prospective family day care homes before you commit.

What educational program happens in family day care?

The exact same as in any long day care centre!

Family Day Care Educators are supported by our Educational Leader to develop programs that align with our philosophy and meet the interests and needs of the children that they care for. Educators have access to all the resources and equipment as long day care centres as well as all the same quarterly training and annual professional development requirements. Your child won’t miss out by going to a family day care instead of centre-based-care.

The philosophy of teaching and learning is the same in all our family day care homes: inspired by a Reggio Emilia approach, multi age, loose parts, lots of outdoor play, progressive meals and flexible rest times… The only difference is the number of children, the hours of care and the price. We view our family day care homes as just off-campus “rooms” of our service.

If my child is in a family day care home, can they still go on excursions?

Yep! Family Day Care educators are able to use their own vehicles or the service van to transport children to activities of interest. We even have a weekly Cubby House Club playgroup just for the family day care children and their educators or parents.

What happens if my child’s educator is sick or away?

If a family day care educator is sick, or cannot have children in his/her home for any given day, we have a relief educator who will care for your children at the main office (which is set up as a family day care venue!). If more than one educator is sick on the same day, this care will be prioritised to working parents and other children will not be charged for the day.

If an educator is unable to work, but not sick (so they have to go out of town for an appointment, for example), our relief educators will be able to care for your children in their normal family day care home in the educator’s stead.

Family Day Care educators are allowed to set their own holiday periods where their service is just closed for up to 2 weeks at a time, but must give families 4 weeks’ notice. Children who require care during these periods will have priority of our casual spaces at our other family day care homes.

Some of our homes are open on public holidays and some are not. We will help you choose a home that suits your specific needs.