FAQ’s

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Q1. Why would I choose Family Day Care for my child?

A1: Family Day Care is a service that is home based and therefore offers a familiar environment to the child. The intimacy of the home based setting encourages a caring, social interaction between the children and develops the skills for a good start in life. Family Day Care is a nurturing environment for babies and, along with the toddlers, preschoolers and after school children offers the opportunity for the interaction and challenges of mixed ages.

Q2: Is Family Day Care regulated?

A2: Yes. All Family Day Care Schemes are regulated under the NSW Children’s Services Regulation of 2004 and the Child Care and Protection Act of 1988. The numbers of children in each Family Day Care home is regulated.

Q3: How will I know about the quality of the Family Day Care Scheme or Educator?

A3: Quality is maintained by the educators themselves and the Co-ordination Unit that visit and inspect the Educator on a regular basis. In-service and orientation training is provided for educators to ensure their professionalism. The National Child Care Accreditation Council (NCAC) implements a Quality Assurance System for all Family Day Care Schemes. The National Quality Framework will be implemented in 2012 and will replace our current Quality Assurance System. Parents can check if the Family Day Care scheme has been successfully validated and is accredited by examining www.ncac.gov.au and clicking on Search for Childcare, Select a service or suburb, finding the scheme and reading the accreditation status.

Q4: How many children can an Educator have in care?

A4: Educators can care for 5 children under school age and up to a total of 7 children under 12 years of age. Coffs Harbour Family Day Care recommends that educators, where possible, only have two children under 2 years of age in care at any one time.

Q5: What hours can I use?

A5: Educators offer a variety of hours and days for care. The Co-ordination Unit has a list of the hours and days each Educator is prepared to work and will try to match the parents’ needs to the Educator.

Q6: Are other forms of care available?

A 6: Each Educator, in consultation with the Co-ordination Unit, decides how many hours and days they will provide care. There are some Educators that offer evening care and weekend care. Parents need to speak to a member of the Co-ordination Unit about the availability of these forms of care. Coffs Harbour Family Day Care also offers In Home Child Care. In Home Child Care has an eligibility criterion. Please refer to our In Home Care page

Q7: What is a Co-ordination Unit or Scheme?

A7: A Family Day Care Scheme consists of the Educators who provide the primary care in the home and the Co-ordination Unit office is where the service is managed and administered. The parents’ first contact is with the Co-ordination Unit. Coffs Harbour Family Day Care has a coordination unit located at ‘The Cottage’ 2 Peterson Road, Coffs Harbour. The local coordination unit provides educators, families and community members the convenience of local service.

Q8: What is the role of the Co-ordination Unit?

A8: The Co-ordination Unit manages and administers the Family Day Care Scheme. The staff recruit, select, coach, support and monitor educators. They organise the family requests for care and monitor the children’s welfare in care. Coffs Harbour Family Day Care provides families and educators with access to resources, advice and links to other services that may assist with the education, care and development of children.

Q9: What learning opportunities or experiences will my child have in care?

A9: Educators implement a child developmentally appropriate program which includes fun activities and experiences that follow the child’s interests, are suited to the ages of the children, and will assist them in their development and learning.

Q10: How much does care cost?

A10: Costs of care varies with each educator. Educators set their fees independently and families are encouraged to discuss fees and the services offered for those fees with the individual educators during the initial interview. Child Care Benefit is available for families who are eligible.

Q11: Do I have access to any financial help in the cost of care?

A11: Child Care Benefit (CCB) is provided by the Australian Government to assist with the cost of care. It is administered by the Co-ordination Unit.

Q12: Can I go on a waiting list?

Yes, you can place your child’s name on our placement list at any time. Our placement officer will attempt to match your request for care with the vacancies that educators have. Parents will need to keep in touch with the scheme on a regular basis. Parents should talk to the Co-ordination Unit staff to find out what system they use.

Q13: How do I know that the Educators will do their job properly?

A13: Every Educator has been approved as a suitable person with a safe home environment. They have completed a Working with Children Check and a First Aid Certificate. Each year Educators complete in-service or short courses to upgrade their skills. In many instances Educators have completed a Certificate or Diploma course in child care. Because we have a local centralised Scheme office, staff are able to visit educators regularly to reassure families that their children are receiving quality education and care. Our local office can be contacted at any time by families or educators for assistance or advice.

Q14: Do Educators go out with the children in vehicles?

A14: Many Educators transport children in vehicles to engage in community based activities such as play session, shopping or park play. Educators are required to have a safety check regarding the appropriate child care restraints and are required to conduct and document risk assessments on all excursion venues and prepare excursion management plans. Educators are required to discuss their routine excursions with families at the time of enrolments and provide families access to the risk assessments. Parents must provide written authorities for excursions.

Q15: How will I know what my child is doing during the day?

A15: Educators are required to plan and program for children in care. Daily routines are displayed and the planning and programming is checked by Child Development Officers during regular visits. Our educators communicate with families about the happenings of the day. They may provide a Daily Journal for each child or a computer generated story about the day. Parents are encouraged to examine the happenings of the day so they can discuss them with their Educator and their child.

Q16: What do I need to bring to the Family Day Care home?

A16: Each Educator will give parents a list of their requirements for care. The requirements may range from snacks and lunch, nappies, sunscreen and sun hats, extra clothes, appropriate shoes, painting aprons and bottles for babies. When parents visit an Educator to make a decision about the appropriateness of the care they can ask about the requirements needed by that Educator.