What is Family Day Care? Page 1. Expectations of Care Providers Page 2. The role of the Co ordination Unit Page 4

Transcription

1 Contents What is Family Day Care? Page 1 Expectations of Care Providers Page 2 The role of the Co ordination Unit Page 4 Is a career in Family Day Care right for you? Page 5 Start up costs Page 6 What will you earn as a Care Provider? Page 7 Example Fee Schedule Page 8 How will working in Family Day Care affect your family? Page 8 Care Provider selection Page 9 Application form Page 10

2 Welcome Thank you for your enquiry about becoming a family day care provider with the Kids in Family Day Care service scheme. If you enjoy the company of children and want to make a difference in their lives by providing quality care and learning experiences from your own home, then Family Day Care may be right for you. This information pack has been put together to provide you with an overview of what it means to be a Family Day Care provider. We hope that after reading the pack you will consider a career in Family Day Care and will lodge an application to become an approved Care Provider with our service. We are continually looking for skilled, enthusiastic and caring people to join our Family Day Care scheme. Please complete the application form and return it to: Rachel Fenn Kids in Family Day Care service scheme 2 8 Windsor Drive Beaconsfield Victoria 3807 I look forward to meeting with you soon. Rachel Fenn Manager Kids in Family Day Care

3 What is Family Day Care? Family day care is a home based childcare service that is Commonwealth Government approved and funded. It offers reasonably priced, flexible childcare that suits the differing needs of individual families and their children. The service offers childcare 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Care providers determine their own availability by nominating the hours and days they want to work. It is expected for potential care providers to be available for a minimum of 24 hours over 3 days a week. Care providers are not employees of the Beaconsfield Children s Hub, they are self employed contractors and therefore are required to operate and run their own business. This has many advantages. Care is provided in small groups in the care provider s home. This allows care providers to provide highly personalised care and stimulating activities. We believe this gives children the opportunity to form strong relationships with their care providers and fosters social, emotional, cognitive and physical development within a responsive environment. Services that are offered through family day care are: Full time care Part Time care Before and after school care School holiday care Respite care Occasional and emergency care Weekend, evening and overnight care Care for children with additional needs Approved care providers can care for up to 7 children at one time. 4 of these can be below school age. This number includes any of your own children up to the age of 13. Most new care providers just embarking on a career in family day care choose to care for smaller numbers to begin with. This will depend on your previous experience.

4 Expectations of Care Providers Knowledge and Experience Ability to plan and provide play based learning experiences for children in care. A demonstrated ability to respond to children in an appropriate manner and a positive approach to behaviour guidance. A basic level of spoken and written English to help guide children's learning, communicate with families, staff and essential services, and understand and complete administration tasks. Knowledge of good nutrition, health, hygiene and safety. Personal Skills Able to work cooperatively and positively within the family day care scheme. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with children and adults. Acceptance of diversity, inclusive practices and respectful of families including cultural or religious practices, disabilities and additional needs. Acceptance of the right of each child to learn and grow in an environment which is warm, safe and stimulating. Willingness to learn effective child care practices. Awareness of the importance of professional development and continuous improvement. Paperwork A certain amount of paperwork is required in every business and family day care is no exception. Your scheme will help you with this side of your new business, but typical paperwork will include: Timesheets for each child in care; these are sent to the scheme office for processing of child care benefit payments weekly or fortnightly. Daily/weekly plans that include age appropriate experiences for each child Written observations for each child. Incident records for insurance and child protection purposes. Income and expense records. Policies and welcome information for new parents. Quality Care Providers also meet the following expectations:

5 Provide high quality childcare and adhere to all the conditions contained in the schemes policy manual, national family day care standards and the 2009 children s service regulations. Participate fully in Quality Assurance activities and work to and maintain satisfactory standards to meet accreditation requirements. Provide a healthy and safe environment for all children in care at all times. Provide varied and stimulating activities that cater to the developmental needs of all children in care. Participate in service activities e.g. in service training, playgroups etc. Adhere to all concerning administration guidelines, for example accurate record keeping. Undergo an annual re registration, which involves renewing your safety check, care restraint checks, and updating the police check every third year as well as the working with children check every 5 years. Reregistration is dependent on the satisfactory performance as outlined above.

6 The role of the Co ordination Unit Family day care Educators work in partnership with a family day care scheme whose staff offers guidance, support and training. Co ordination unit staff is also responsible for ensuring that you operate to a high standard within the regulations, scheme policies and the quality assurance process. The co ordination unit is responsible for: Ensuring that you are registered, insured and working according to the Commonwealth Government Guidelines and Quality assurance. Monitoring the care provided through regular unannounced visits. Providing playgroups and social activities for children in care. Providing training and ongoing support for you including; interactions, child protection, physical environments, children s experiences, learning, development, health, hygiene, nutrition, safety and wellbeing. Regular visits from field workers from the co ordination unit will provide you ongoing support and will assist a comfortable transition time. Please remember there is plenty of advice and assistance available through the co ordination unit.

7 Is Family Day Care right for you? In order to be a care provider with Beaconsfield Children s Hub Kids in Family Day Care you must: Have a genuine interest and respect for children and be prepared to care for children of varying ages in your own home. Be the owner or prime occupier of your house, which has suitable areas and a nurturing environment in which to care for children. Be prepared to extend on your skills and childcare knowledge. Have a home telephone connected. Be available to work at least 24 hours over 3 days a week. Not smoke while providing care to ensure a smoke free environment. Be in good physical and mental health. You and any adults residing in your home have a satisfactory police check. Hold a working with Children Check and volunteer WWC check for any adults residing in your home. Be prepared to work according to the schemes policies and procedures. Have completed certificate III in Children s Services or have a commitment to commencing study within 3 months. Hold a current drivers licence and access to a motor vehicle (preferable). As a child care provider you will have the opportunity to: Choose working hours that suit your needs. Earn an income whilst working from home. Have access to professional training train on the job. Provide valuable socialisation for your own child/children. Establish friendships with children in your care and their families. Be part of a network of Family day Care professionals in your local area.

8 Start up costs Start up costs are minimal and the co ordination unit will assist you as much as possible to get started. Public Liability Insurance All care providers are required to have adequate insurance. This can be arranged through the Family Day Care Australia you can contact them on This cost will be discussed with you at interview time. Premiums can be paid fortnightly. Police Check Fee WWC Check $34.00 for care provider reduced fee of $15.50 for adults residing in the home. $ photo for carer, photo only for other adults. First Aid Course Approximately $ Incl: Level II, CPR, Asthma Management & Anaphylaxis. Certificate 3 in Children's Services You must enroll in a certificate 3 course or have the qualifications. Medical Certificate Cost of a standard visit to your GP only Car Restraint Check $ replacement cost of any frayed or damaged seatbelts Vicroads RACV Restraint fitting station A variety of toys and games Activity materials Safety equipment You may prefer to borrow things from the toy library or family and friends E.g. plough dough, paints, paper, glue etc E.g. plugs for electrical outlets, child proof latches for detergent cupboards, stove tops, a guard for your fireplace/heater and adequate external fencing. Fencing around pools to Australian Standards. Equipment E.g. High chairs, porta cots and sleeping mats can be purchased as you go.

9 What will you earn as a Care Provider? The role of a Care provider can be financially rewarding. Operating at full capacity is really dependant on the quality of the childcare provided and your flexibility. It may take a short while for you to get established. The placement of children with a Care provider depends on many variables, including the area in which you live, how many non school age children you have of your own, whether you transport your own children to and from school, etc. Children come in and go out of care and when the child leaves your care there is no guarantee that another child can be placed with you immediately. A lot of your success will be dependent on your enthusiasm, dedication and the quality of childcare you offer. Depending on your availability, you can expect to earn between $ and $2000 per week before tax. As a self employed contractor there are many tax advantages. Taxation is your responsibility and you must ensure that you keep accurate records for this purpose. The coordination Unit can assist with information on how to keep adequate records for taxation purposes. Fee Schedule Fees are calculated per hour per child. This ready reckoner will give you an idea of what you can earn per child if you adopt the service recommended fee. Fees are reviewed at the end of each financial year and a recommended fee is set in the best interest of both Care providers and parents. Food and transport costs (as well as the hourly rate) have been deregulated and care providers can choose to set their own fee or to follow the recommended fees listed below. Independent fee setting needs to be the same for all families in your care.

10 Kids In Family Day Care 2 8 Windsor Drive, Beaconsfield, 3807 Ph: A.B.N Kids in Family Day Care Fee Schedule Monday to Friday From $5.60 per hour Saturday Sunday Administration Levy Late Pick up fee $10.00 per hour $13.00 per hour $.55 per hour $10 per 1/2 hour Meals Breakfast $2.00 Lunch $3.00 Dinner $3.00 Snacks $2.00 Travel When a caregiver is responsible for $3.00 per trip taking your child to kindergarten, playgroup, home or school Holidays Permanent booking may take up to 2 weeks holiday per year at no charge to families. If extra weeks are taken, the permanent hours must be paid to retain the booked place. 1 months notice is appreciated. General A minimum of 3 hours per session, for school aged children will be charged A minimum of 6 hours per session for non school aged children will be charged If a child is absent from FDC due to illness, additional holidays or other absence, full fee is still charged Late Payment of Fees $10.00 per week *conditions apply to some of the above prices

11 How will working in Family Day Care affect your family? Family Day Care involves your whole family. Even though you are working from home, you will be expected to provide a professional service. Your family may have expectations that you will have time to tend to their needs, but you will be busy providing full supervision for children in care. You may need to explain to your family when you re working day will begin and end. Your partner or older children may need to consider how they will feel about sharing their home with other children. Young children may also need to be prepared for sharing their toys and, more importantly, you with other children. Your family may also find the health and safety requirements affect them as well. For example, they will not be able to bring the family pet inside while day care children are there. Any family member or visitors who smoke will not be permitted to smoke in view of day care children or inside the house whilst they are there. Talk over your plans with your family before committing yourself. Sometimes a period of adjustment is required as everyone adapts to the new situation. Support is available from the Co Ordination Unit if required. We are happy to visit and discuss your new career with your family members.

12 Care Provider Selection On receipt of your application a member of staff will contact you and organise to visit your home to discuss Family Day Care and to answer any of your questions. This is also a good time for us to assess the suitability of your home and to discuss the safety requirements. (If possible this should be when other family members are present to discuss the impact Family Day Care might have on your family.) We will then organise a time for a formal interview at our Beaconsfield office or in your family home. Care provider selection is subject to the satisfactory completion of this interview and your referee checks. Not all applicants are considered suitable for a career in Family Day Care. Selection will also take into account the need for Care providers within a particular area, as determined by the coordination Unit. It is expected that a Care provider would: Be in good physical and mental health. Have personal qualities of maturity, tolerance, flexibility and warmth. Be aware of the need for confidentiality and be non judge mental. Have good communication skills. Have a genuine interest in the care and development of young children. Enjoy having young children around. Have skills to complete the administrative tasks required by the office. Have the skills and ability to provide interesting and educational experiences for children.

13 If your interview is deemed successful and you would like to proceed further with your application, you will then need to: Take out Public Liability insurance cover (Family Day Care Australia ). Complete a satisfactory Safety Check of your home. Undergo a Police Check (this includes all adults 18 years and over living in your home). Obtain a WWC Check (a volunteer check for all adults living in your home). Obtain an approved Medical Certificate stating that you are fit to perform the duties of the job. Complete a Level 2 First Aid Certificate which includes, CPR, Asthma Management and Anaphylaxis training. Attend an orientation / induction program. Insurance Family Day Care Australia has available a National Insurance Plan. It is a requirement that all approved Care providers have current Public Liability Insurance. You can organize this through Family Day Care Australia ph: