Information for Parents

In Family Day Care, the hours of care are flexible and can be matched to your family's needs. In Family Day Care your child will learn through play and exploration in the company of a small group of children.

What should I do before care starts?

1. Contact the co-ordination unit to arrange an enrolment.
2. Contact the Family Assistance Office (FAO) if you wish to apply for CCB.
3. Following referral to suitable carers, parents should meet with and decide on the carer of their choice.
4. Children should visit their selected carer in their home. This provides you and your children with the opportunity to become familiar and comfortable with the carer and the new environment.

Points To Consider Before Selecting Your Carer:

• Does the home environment ‘feel right'?
• Is the atmosphere warm and friendly?
• Are the children happily involved in activities?
• Availability of flexible care arrangements and times?
• Ability to cater for any special needs your children may have?
• Location
• Cost

PLACING CHILDREN IN CARE.

After the enrolment form is completed, parents will be contacted by the FDC office to arrange an interview time with a staff member. At this interview parents are required to bring the completed enrolment form, child's immunisation details, child's birth certificate, customer reference numbers (CRN's) for both the parent and the child and $20 enrolment fee (no eftpos facilities available). Care details are discussed and any questions answered.

Every effort is made to match a suitable carer to meet the child's needs and parents are given the name and contact number of a carer to arrange an interview visit prior to care commencing.

WAITING LISTS.

In some circumstances, care arrangements cannot always be met, and families are given the opportunity to be placed on a waiting list and notified when a vacancy becomes available.

HOME VISITS.

Home visits to carers homes by FDC staff are an essential requirement of FDC, and are usually un-announced or planned fortnightly. Qualified FDC staff visits carers to resource and support them in their role as childcare carers.

During these visits, staff monitors children's developmental progress. Support and guidance is offered to the carers with planning and developing learning programs for children that are stimulating and age appropriate. Staff also ensures hygiene and safety standards are being met whilst children are in care.

All home visits are documented and signed by the carer and the staff member.

Forms:

Scheme Recommended Fee Schedule 09/10
Update Family Information Form
Parent Statement Form