A career in family day care – is this the business for you?

Operating a family day care business is a very rewarding career working from home with young children, you have the benefit of being self-employed whilst supported by a family day care service. It offers:

• A career change to home based child care
• Unique opportunities to provide a quality family focussed education and care experience
• A financially rewarding income
• A small business that you can build on and develop your current skills and knowledge
• Flexibility of working hours / days and holidays
• A business that can be combined with caring for your own children
• An opportunity to be part of a network of child care professionals
• The satisfaction of making a difference in your community
• Achievement of operating your own business

Requirements to be an educator

What do I need to become an educator?

To provide family day care, applicants are required to satisfactorily complete a registration and membership process through a family day care service.  You will be assessed on your abilities to:

• Be physically and emotionally able to care for young children
• Create a safe, secure, welcoming and child friendly environment that will support the development and learning of young children
• Demonstrate an enthusiasm and genuine commitment for the wellbeing of children
• Work independently with the support of a family day care service co-ordination unit
• Have sound management and organisational skills
• Communicate effectively with adults and children
• Have an understanding of children’s development
• Be aware of and sensitive to the needs and values of parents and children
• Have an appreciation of cultural and family diversity
• Commit to ongoing professional development
• Financially run a small business

Registered educators are required to have:

• National police clearance (educator and adult household members)
• Working with Children check (educator and adult household members – if participating as a volunteer)
• Minimum Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care CHC30113 (completed, enrolled or equivalent – for a list of approved qualifications visit this link  ACECQA qualifications)
• First Aid Certificate, Emergency Asthma and Anaphylaxis management training (Provide an emergency first aid response in an education and care setting HLTAID004 – this course combines all)
• Satisfactory home safety assessment
• Public Liability Insurance
• Adequate toys, equipment and resources
• Health and Safety – Regulations and Standards ensure that your home and garden are hygienic and safe for children
• Skills and knowledge competency of National Regulations, Standards and child development
• Compliance with all local government requirements
• Landlord approval where applicable

Support for educators

Each family day care service supports, resources and trains applicants to set up their own business. Family day care co-ordination unit staff guide successful applicants through the registration and membership process and offer ongoing support whilst education and care services are operating. This support takes the form of home visits, telephone contact, advice and guidance with children and learning programs, provision of play sessions, resources and professional development.

Family Day Care Australia (FDCA) is our National peak body offering support and resources to family day care services and educators and advocates to Government and non-government bodies. FDCA provides insurance, taxation services, business branded stationary / merchandise and advice to its members.

Early Childhood Australia (ECA) advocates to ensure quality, social justice and equity in all issues relating to the education and care of children from birth to eight years, and provides educators in Education and Care Services with a Code of Ethics.

How do I join a family day care service?
All family day care services welcome your enquiry, various service fees may apply. To find out which family day care services cover your area click here: FDC Services

Establishment Costs and Potential Income

What costs are involved to set up?
All small business require establishment costs, family day care is no exception. Estimated set up costs to operate an education and care service include requirements such as: National police clearances, Working With Children, First Aid Certificate, Emergency Asthma and Anaphylaxis training, education and care qualifications, business public liability, local government requirements for planning permits and food business registration, alterations for safety requirements, toys, equipment and resources, family day care service fees and memberships (refer to individual family day care services for specific details).

How Much Can I Earn?
Each family day care educator operates independently as an agent of a family day care service and is self-employed, therefore fees set are negotiable in accordance with the service’s guidelines and approved by that service. Potential income will vary depending on the hours and days you operate, the number of children attending and hours they are in your care.