Family Day Care

1. Home

We have been operating in the local community for almost 40 years.  Queanbeyan Family Day Care offers small group settings with mixed age groups, where children are cared for by qualified educators

We have over 30 educators operating throughout Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra, Googong and Wamboin. Our Coordination Unit is based in Queanbeyan and:

  • Facilitates bookings for families
  • Manages the Child Care Subsidy entitlements
  • Works closely with educators to support and aid the education and development of the children in care.

We offer a range of different care types including:

  • Full time
  • Part time
  • Before and after school care
  • Occasional care
  • Casual care
  • School holiday care
  • Weekend and overnight care.

Queanbeyan Family Day Care is operated by Council. The scheme provides a number of services to educators including regular visits from the mobile library service, dedicated story time at the library and activities at our Q-one sports centres.

We were recently rated as “Meeting National Quality Standard” with an “Exceeding” rating in Governance and Leadership.

Educator with children at table doing craft activities

2. Philosophy

We aim to provide a nurturing, safe and home-like environment that is welcoming, warm and inclusive of all cultures, abilities and family situations where parents, children and educators feel respected and supported.

We have a commitment to providing high quality care and education, and will continue to reflect upon its practices and procedures.

Planning for children's learning is based on their interests and specific needs guided by the National Quality Standards and the Early Years Learning Framework. This provides opportunities for children to reach their own potential, in all developmental areas.

We believe that every child is unique. Children progress in different ways and we aim to work together collaboratively to ensure high quality outcomes for each child. Our role is to ensure that we provide an environment for children which is rich in learning through play.

We believe in the power of children's voices and encourage them to be involved in decision making. Children should be offered choices, responsibilities and opportunities to initiate their own learning.

In relation to parents, the scheme acknowledges that parents are the most important influence in their child's life and their involvement and participation in the educational programs being offered are strongly encouraged. Parents want their children to develop into happy, confident and respectful members of the community. Families, staff and educators need to maintain open, honest and consistent communication to assist children to achieve these goals and to reach their full potential.

FDC-Aboriginal-Liaison-Officer-visit.jpg

3. Frequently Asked Questions – Family Day Care

How is this care different from other forms of childcare?

Your child’s education and care is provided by an individual educator who is an early childhood education and care professional, operating within their own home.

They work with small groups of no more than four children under school age, but also have the capacity for an additional three school age children in their care. This type of care enables siblings to be cared for together in the same environment

They work with an approved service which carries out regular visits to monitor the children’s individual development and provide support as well as ensuring the educator is meeting the National Quality Standards, National Law and Regulations.

They also have ample opportunity to engage with the community through activities, excursions and events organised or promoted by the scheme.

Who is this type of care most suited to?

It suitable for children of all ages and stages. It is ideal for families who want one pick up point for a number of children and families who don’t have transport and need care close to their home.

What ages can attend?

It caters for children of all ages, including school aged children up to the age of 13 years.

How much does childcare cost?

For care within the times of 8am to 6pm the fees will range from $10.80 - $15.50 per hour.

Some educators will allow the parent to choose the hours that are required and parents pay for the care used. Other educators may require a parent to agree to contract for a set number of hours per day.

Can I still access a Federal Government Child Care Subsidy?

Yes, as long as you meet the Federal Government guidelines. You can follow the link below to find out more.

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/child-care-subsidy

What is covered as part of the fees?

This can vary from educator to educator. Some include food and nappies in their fees. Each educator will provide this information when parents meet them.

Does my child need to be immunised to attend?

Yes, it is the parents’ responsibility to provide up-to-date immunisation history records to the scheme. The child care subsidy is linked to immunisation.

Where are the educators located?

Educators are located throughout the Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra and Googong areas. We are currently recruiting for educators in these areas as well as Wamboin, Bungendore, Braidwood, Captains Flat and the Australian Capital Territory.

Can I tour the centre?

Unfortunately because the care is provided in educators’ homes, it is not possible to tour the home.  However there is an opportunity to visit the educator and his/her home before making a decision to leave a child in care.

What happens if my educator is sick or on leave?

If they are sick or on leave, the Co-ordination Unit will make every effort to organise alternative care (known as backup care).  Staff members are also on call to assist parents if they need to access care outside of normal working hours.

Is there a waiting list?

We maintain a registration/waiting list of families who require childcare. If parents need childcare, please complete the online application here.

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4. Apply For Care

The Coordination Unit is here to assist you to find the right care for your child and the right fit for your family.

Once your application is received, we will contact you within three working days..

If the scheme can help you with childcare, you will be provided with educator/s information. Parents are then encouraged to contact the educator/s and visit them in their homes.

If you are interested in finding out more, please complete the online form below.

Fees

Educators set their own hourly fees based around the care being offered. The scheme can provide an approximate cost, but you will need to approach your educator directly about exact fees and charges.

To see if you are eligible for the Child Care Subsidy parents should contact the Department of Human Services prior to commencing care. More information can be found here.

5. Becoming an Educator

Are you an early childhood professional or working towards a relevant qualification? Have you ever considered a flexible career running your own business from home?

We are always looking for new educators who would like to combine their passion for working with children with a rewarding career

You will enjoy the flexibility of running your own business with support and guidance from the scheme. There is opportunity for you to decide your own work hours and days. You also have the chance to develop your own learning environments and educational programs based on the children’s individual developmental needs, interests and experiences.

Qualifications

To work as a family day care educator, at a minimum you need to have a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.

Other requirements include:

  • Obtain a current First Aid Certificate, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation Certificate and undergo current Emergency Asthma, Anaphylaxis Management Training
  • Public Liability Insurance coverage
  • National Criminal History check
  • NSW Working With Children check for NSW residents
  • Be 18 years or over

Preparing Your Home

Before undertaking care in your home you will need an initial property inspection to ascertain the suitability of your home. You may need to make minor changes or additions to meet National Safety Regulations.

We are looking for educators in all areas, including:

  • Googong
  • Queanbeyan
  • Jerrabomberra
  • Bungendore
  • Braidwood
  • Captains Flat
  • Wamboin

To let us know that you’re interested, complete the online form below.

6. Educator information evenings

We are holding information evenings for anyone interested in becoming an educator.

These are a great opportunity to hear about how the program works and ask questions from our staff.

  • 10 April - Braidwood - 6-7 pm - Braidwood Community Centre (Glasshouse / Old Library)
  • 25 June - Bungendore - 5.30-6.30pm - Multipurpose Hall, Bungendore Primary School
  • 25 July - Queanbeyan - 6-7pm - Axis Youth Centre

Please register your attendance through the form below.

7. Educator Forms & Useful Links

Development Checklist Templates

  1. Child Development Checklist - 0-4 months(PDF, 104KB)
  2. Child Development Checklist - 4-8 months(PDF, 104KB)
  3. Child Development Checklist - 8-12 months(PDF, 105KB)
  4. Child Development Checklist - 1-2 years(PDF, 105KB)
  5. Child Development Checklist - 2-3 years(PDF, 104KB)
  6. Child Development Checklist - 3-5 years(PDF, 106KB)
  7. Child Development Checklist - transition to school(PDF, 94KB)

Electronic Educator Forms

Injury, Illness, Incident and Trauma Report

This form is to be completed by an educator when a child suffers an injury, incident, trauma and/or illness whilst in care (including where a child is sent home due to an illness).  Should this occur, educators are reminded to advise the Co-ordination Unit.

Excursion Permission

To be completed by parent and educator and submitted to the co-ordination unit prior to the excursion occurring.  The scheme has the ability to approve/not approve these excursions depending on the details of the excursion.

Placement Contract

To be completed by parent and educator when children initially commence care to agree upon fees, charged hours, payment details etc. Can also be used when a change to these details occurs.

Termination of Care/Exit Form

To be provided to parent if they are terminating care and forwarded to the Co-ordination Unit by parent or Educator.  Educators can also use these forms if they wish to advise a parent/co-ordination unit that they propose to give notice to a child.

Risk Assessment for Regular Outing/Excursion

To be completed by educators when a regular outings/excursion is undertaken.  A risk assessment is to be undertaken at least annually for regular outings and prior to an excursion occurring.  A risk assessment form must be completed for each venue visited by an educator.  A risk assessment form is to be attached to each excursion undertaken and to the regular outing form at the commencement of the year or as new venues are added to the regular outings form.

Relief Educator Care Agreement

This form is for use when agreeing upon details of care (such as fee schedules, breakages etc) between the primary educator and relief educator when undertaking a relief care agreement.

Relief Educator Consent Form

The form is to be used when a primary educator is seeking consent from families for a relief educator to provide care during the primary educator's leave period.

Regular Outing Permission Form

To be completed by parent and educator and submitted to the co-ordination unit prior to any outing occurring. This form is to be completed on an annual basis, or as changes occur.  This form should list all venues an educator may visit whilst FDC children are in care.

Forms to Download

Arrival and Departure of School Aged Children Form(PDF, 301KB)
Bank Authorisation Form(PDF, 321KB)
Contact Update Form(PDF, 393KB)
COVID-19 Risk Assessment - Deep Clean(PDF, 112KB)
Daily Safety Audit Form(PDF, 155KB)
Digital Media Permission Form(PDF, 551KB)
Emergency Procedures Practices Form(PDF, 405KB)
Excursion Permission(PDF, 351KB)
Injury, Illness, Incident and Trauma Report(PDF, 246KB)
Medical Condition Management Plan(PDF, 95KB)
Monitoring of Sleeping/Resting Children Form(PDF, 349KB)
Permission to Photograph Children(PDF, 434KB)
Regular Outing Permission Form(PDF, 506KB)
Relief Educator Care Agreement(PDF, 284KB)
Relief Educator Consent Form(PDF, 393KB)
Risk Assessments for Regular Outings/Excursions Form(PDF, 410KB)
SUDI Risk Assessment Form(PDF, 224KB)
Termination of Care Form(PDF, 161KB)

9. Policies and Procedures

At Queanbeyan Family Day Care our policies and procedures are built around the seven key areas of the the National Quality Standards (NQS). Services are assessed and rated against the NQS by their regulatory authority and given a rating for each of the seven quality areas, as well as an overall rating based on their results. The NQS sets a high national benchmark for early childhood education and care services across Australia.

The seven quality areas contain important outcomes for children and are listed below with our relevant policies and procedures.

Quality Area 1 - Educational Program and Practice

Educational program and practice of educators are child-centred, stimulating and maximise opportunities for enhancing and extending each child's learning and development. Download the Quality Area 1 document here.(PDF, 129KB)

Quality Area 2 - Children's Health and Safety

Children have the right to experience quality education and care in an environment that safeguards and promotes their health, safety and wellbeing. Download the Quality Area 2 document here.(PDF, 644KB)

Quality Area 3 - Physical Environment

Physical environment is safe, suitable and provides a rich and diverse range of experiences that promote children's learning and development. Download the Quality Area 3 document here.(PDF, 292KB)

Quality Area 4 - Staffing Arrangements

Qualified and experienced educators, who develop warm, respectful relationships with children, create predictable environments and encourage children's active engagement in the learning program. Download the Quality Area 4 document here.(PDF, 356KB)

Quality Area 5 - Relationships with Children

Relationships with children are responsive, respectful and promote children's sense of security and belonging. Download the Quality Area 5 document here.(PDF, 304KB)

Quality Area 6 - Collaborative Partnerships with Families and Communities

Collaborative relationships with families are fundamental to achieving quality outcomes for children, and community partnerships based on active communication, consultation and collaboration are essential. Download the Quality Area 6 document here.(PDF, 185KB)

Quality Area 7 - Governance and Leadership

Effective leadership and governance of the service contributes to quality environments for children's learning and development. Effective leaders establish shared values for the service and set clear direction for the service's continuous improvement. Download the Quality Area 7 document here.(PDF, 415KB)