Flexible families need flexible childcare

These days it seems we all need to work. Rising interest rates, the cost of housing, high grocery and petrol prices are forcing more women back into the workforce just to help make ends meet.

Couple that scenario with an ongoing childcare “crisis” of long waiting lists and a national skills shortage of childcare workers and you have a recipe for family stress.

But there’s a solution.

Family day care is a home-based childcare option that’s been actively helping Australian families for over 30 years.

Imagine your child in a small group of no more than four or five pre-schoolers, playing, learning and having fun with a child carer they know and trust. This close relationship is valued by many families who may otherwise feel guilty leaving their child while they work or study.

Young mum Melanie Ryan agrees. “Going back to work was hard after I had my first child. I felt like I should be there, not someone else, but then we found Dennise. Jemma, who’s now three, just loves going to family day care on the days I work. I’m now seven weeks off having my second child and have already booked the new baby in with Dennise. Knowing that she is there for my children is the best peace of mind.”

Today’s working environment is no longer the traditional 9 to 5 routine. Family Day Care Australia’s General Manager, Monique Webber says, “Childcare needs to be flexible. We cater for young babies through to pre-teens and can offer care during standard hours, before/after school, during school holidays and in some circumstances overnight and weekends.

“This makes family day care an ideal service for shift working parents or those who can’t just “clock off” at the end of the day if there’s a deadline to meet! It also means no double drop off or pick up since siblings can be in care together. And for many carers it’s part of the service to take children to school and collect them again at the end of the day.”

Carers work in partnership with a local family day care scheme which is generally run by a community group or local council. Staff from the scheme regularly check on the children’s progress and provide support, resources and ongoing training in contemporary childcare practice to carers.

Family day care operates under a framework of state and national standards that ensures the childcare environment is safe and children receive quality care. The National Childcare Accreditation Council (NCAC) governs the family day care quality assurance system. Carers need an up-to-date first aid certificate, police check, working with children check and public liability insurance, and their home needs to meet safety standards.

Families can apply for the full range of childcare fee subsidies such as Child Care Benefit and the Child Care Tax Rebate. Fees vary between carers depending on what is provided, e.g. nappies, meals etc. but are comparable with other service types.

Family day care’s small group care where children receive individual attention is the preferred childcare choice for over 100,000 discerning families. And with over 12,000 carers and 340 schemes operating across all States and Territories there will be a family day care service near you.

For more information log on to www.familydaycareaustralia.com.au or phone our national hotline on FREECALL 1800 621 218 and we can answer your questions and put you in touch with your local family day care service.