Family Day Care

What is Family Day Care?

Family Day Care is personal care provided to no more than four pre-school aged children and up to seven children under the age of 12, including the carers' own children, who are cared for in an approved Family Day Care Provider's home. Family Day Care is an organised and monitored system of child care supported and funded by the Federal Government.

When is Family Day Care Available?

Family Day Care is flexible and provision of care can be tailored to meet your family's needs. It is particularly suitable for parents who have unusual work hours, or require extended hours of child care for their children.

Service Support

Family Day Care is a supervised service operated by the City of Ballarat. Qualified staff carefully select Care Providers, and regularly visit them to monitor care and offer support and ideas. All Care Providers are police checked and a safety check of their house is conducted annually.

Qualities

The emphasis in Family Day Care is on security, warmth, learning and fun in a home environment. There isn't a fixed routine, but there are plenty of activities for the children including singing, listening to music and stories, make-believe play and dressing up.

The children are also included in normal daily household routines such as cooking, shopping, and visiting friends, relatives or other suitable venues.

Toys and games are lent to Care Providers from the Family Day Care library of over 600 toys and are selected to meet all development needs and interests.

Who can use Family Day Care?

Any parent who requires care for pre-school aged children, or before and after school, or during school holidays, etc. Care is provided for children aged up to twelve years.

What does Family Day Care Cost?  (Scheduled Fees from 2 July 2007)

Duration Costs* Core Hourly Fee (core hours 8.00am-6.00pm weekdays excluding public holidays) $4.70 up to 35 hours of care per week, per child $3.46 for 35 - 50 Hours of care per week, per child Weekend Care $5.00 per hour, per child Public Holidays $7.00 per hour, per child All other care $4.70 per hour, per child *Care Providers are able to charge above the Scheduled Fee as part of Independent Fee Setting   Please note: Child Care Benefit conditions apply. Your level of benefit is dependant on your family income. For more information visit the Family Assistance website - www.familyassist.gov.au. The Family Day Care Service Provider Number is - 555 001 147T.  Who will be Providing Care for your Children? All Family Day Care Providers have been interviewed by Family Day Care Co-ordination staff. Referees are telephoned, and a safety check is conducted annually. Care Providers and their family members are police checked. Care Providers must undergo and pass a medical check before they are able to commence duties, as well as an intensive induction program. All Care Providers must hold a first aid certificate, and have the necessary insurance cover. Care Providers receive home visits from the Family Day Care Co-ordination staff on a regular basis, and must attend annual inhouse training sessions. Contact Details To contact Family Day Care phone 03 5320 5720 or email familydaycare@ballarat.vic.gov.au. The Family Day Care Co-ordination Unit is located at The Phoenix, 25 Armstrong Street South, Ballarat. For more information about Family Day Care in Australia visit the Family Day Care Australia website - www.familydaycareaustralia.com.au.