Family Day Care

Page Updated: December 29, 2011

Warringah Family Day Care has been providing quality childcare to people since 1976. Care is provided through a network of approved Family Day Care Educators, organised and supported by our professionally qualified Coordination Unit Team. Your child will be cared for in a safe, stimulating and secure home environment, as part of a small group.

Family Day Care provides flexible care, matched to your family's needs. Types of care provided include full or part-time care, casual care, before/after school and vacation care. If your care needs change at any time, your Family Day Care Educator may well be able to assist you. The close relationship between Educator and family ensures that the interests of your child and family are accommodated wherever possible.

Your Family Day Care Educator is part of a larger professional network. The Coordination Unit provides information, support and assistance to your family. We also recruit and train Educators and provide ongoing monitoring, support and professional development. We are confident that your family will enjoy the experience of being a part of Warringah Family Day Care.

Warringah Family Day Care Philosophy

Are you interested in becoming a Family Day Care Educator?

Fees

The fee for care is not regulated and Educators each determine the appropriate fee for their particular service. The fee is paid directly to the Educator in advance.

Your Educator will advise you of the fee payable for their service, payment arrangements and conditions of care. You will be asked to complete a contract for care once you confirm the placement of your child.

Grouping of Children

Mixed aged groupings of children under school age. A maximum of five children per Educator per day. School aged children may also be cared for.

The Program: what do children do all day?

Educators offer personal programs, experiences and relationships to children appropriate to their individual needs. Educators are able to respond to each child's own interests and to use everyday events to provide developmentally appropriate learning experiences. Family Day Care learning practices align with current early childhood practices such as the Early Years Learning Framework. Educators are able to develop their programs through a partnership with their families and the support of early childhood professionals within the Coordination Unit, who also provide additional activities such as play sessions to enhance experiences for children.

Play Sessions

Educators and children attend Family Day Care morning play sessions once a fortnight at one of our two venues in Narraweena and Forestville. Even the very young children enjoy the morning and are able to play freely in safety.

Developmentally appropriate experiences are planned and organised by professional staff, with variety and interest in mind. Most activities can be carried out at home, and the children’s interests and skills are extended. Children often develop friendships within the larger group and look forward to play session days. For many children ‘story and music’ is their first experience of a formal group time.

Parent Participation

One of the advantages of Family Day Care is the close relationship between Educator and child. Your ongoing participation in the program is highly encouraged in every respect.

Regulation and Quality Assurance

Warringah Family Day Care is a licensed child care service, operating under the Children’s Services Regulation 2004. Educators are approved and registered with the service and monitored by the Coordination Unit to ensure adherence to the Regulation.

Warringah Family Day Care is also accredited as High Quality by the National Childcare Accreditation Council. Educators have copies available of both the Regulation and the Quality Practices Guide for your information.