Is Family Day Care The Business For You? test

Operating a Family Day Care service not only allows you to work from home running your own business. It is also a very rewarding career. It offers:

• A new career or a career change
• A financially rewarding income
• Work where you can build on and develop your current skills and knowledge
• Flexibility of working hours
• A business that can be combined with the caring of your own children
• The achievement of operating your own business
• An opportunity to be part of an accredited network of child care professionals
• The satisfaction of making a difference in your community
• An unique opportunity to provide a quality family focused childcare experience

What Do I Need To Become A Carer?

To provide Family Day Care you need to be physically and emotionally able to care for young children and have the ability to:

• Create a safe secure welcoming 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 from the Scheme’s 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 differences
• Commit to ongoing professional development

How Much Can I Earn?

A Family Day Care business can offer you a steady and reliable income. Each Carer operates their own individual Family Day Care service, is self employed and therefore sets their own fees. Incomes will also vary depending on the number of children attending and the hours they are in your care.

How Do I Join A Scheme?

All Schemes have a recruitment program that offers support, advice and will welcome your enquiry. We recommend that you contact the Scheme/s that cover your area to obtain information about their selection criteria, how they can support you through the licensing process and to register your interest with your preferred Scheme.

To find out which Schemes cover your area click here

What Support Is Available to Me?

• Support from Family Day Care Schemes

Each Scheme offers support to Carers to assist them to set up their own business. Staff at each Scheme’s Co-ordination Unit assists prospective Carers through the licensing process and offers ongoing support when they commence operating their service. This support takes the form of home visits, provision of play sessions, resources and training.

• Start Up Grants

If you haven’t provided a Family Day Care service before you may be eligible to apply for a $1,500 Start Up Grant from the Commonwealth Government to assist you with some of the initial set up costs involved in establishing a Family Day Care business.

Alternatively if you live in a remote area you may be eligible for one of the Remote Area Family Day Care Start Up Payments of $5,000 that is designed to assist Carers living on properties in remote or very remote areas to undertake essential changes to their home or its immediate surrounds in order for them to provide quality child care.

Each potential Carer would only be eligible for one of the above categories of payment.

To find out more go to the childcare section of the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) website. FDC Start up Payment

• The New Enterprise Incentive Scheme – NEIS

If you are registered with Centrelink and are in receipt of a benefit you may be eligible to access the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS)

Assistance includes small business management training, income support for up to 52 weeks and mentor and on going advice and counselling during your first year of operation.

To find out if you are eligible to register contact your nearest Centrelink Customer Service Centre on 13 28 50.

Advance Business Specialists is a NEIS provider that has worked with a number of Family Day Care Schemes in WA. For more information go to www.absnetwork.com.au

• Family Day Care Australia (FDCA) Membership

FDCA is Family Day Care’s national industry association. FDCA’s role is to support, enhance and resource Family Day Care services and lead the way for Family Day Care in the Australian childcare industry.

FDCA provides members with many resources including ‘Getting it Right – A Tax Guide for Family Day Care Carers' an easy to read Australian Tax Office (ATO) endorsed tax guide that is used by Carers, Accountants and Tax Agents across Australia. FDCA also offers members a one-stop shop for insurance policies that can protect your business.

For more information on these and other products contact their Member Services Consultants on Freecall 1800 658 699 or visit www.familydaycareaustralia.com.au

What Is Involved In Obtaining A Licence?

To operate your own Family Day Care Service you must be licensed with the Child Care Licensing and Standards Unit (CCLSU). The licensing process can take a few months or longer dependent on your own circumstances. The process involves

• A police clearance, a ‘Working With Children Check’, a public notice, references and medical checks to show that you are a fit and proper person to hold a child care licence and

• Licensing of your home to ensure it complies with the health and safety and equipment requirements of the Child Care (Family Day Care) Regulations 2006 eg safety glass, security, hygiene etc.

There will be some costs associated with establishing your service eg to obtain a current First Aid Certificate and Public Liability Insurance. For information on the Commonwealth Government Start Up Grants refer to the DEEWR website. FDC Start up Payment

By contacting a Scheme you will be supported through the licensing process.

To order a copy or to download a copy of the Child Care (Family Day Care) Regulations 2006 and the Child Care Act 2007 go to the State Law Publishing website www.slp.wa.gov.au

To download a copy of the Family Day Care Licence Application Kit including the Help Guide go to
Department for Communities - Child Care