Family Day Care

[Smurfette]

Hi there, just looking to hear from anyone who is, has, knows someone that has been involved in Family Day care. I am looking at doing it from my home. I have a 7 month old bub, so would perhaps look after another 2 pre-schoolers and maybe a couple of before and after school care kids.

I am really looking to hear pro's and con's as this is all new to me. Anything anyone can tell me would be great.:fingerscrossed:

[*Sal*]

Hi, my cousin set up a family day care from her home. She had the idea of spending more time with her 2 girls, and earning some money at the same time. She only lasted 6 months, so it wasn't for her.

She complained that her house got trashed, she never had time to eat or go to the toilet, and she was constantly paranoid that something would go wrong with one of the children. Sorry if I have put you off a bit, I guess it just suits some people more than others.

My cousin is still a childcare worker, now her kids are at school she works at a centre and loves it!

If you do it I hope it works out better for you.

[kiwibird27]

If u want to do it legally call your local council or visit there website - they will have the number to call in your suburb for head office for registartion etc

This link may help too if your in NSW

http://www.nswfamilydaycare.com.au/

[aimeejayde]

Hi there, I looked into this when my number 1 dd was a baby. In WA you can go through Communicare to join a scheme and I think from memory you can have about 7 kids. There was a lot of paperwork, a test to sit, some paperwork to buy, study and be tested on etc and you had to jump through a seperate hoop to do out of school care. In the end I didn't go through with it because the changes I had to make to the house made the venture unobtainable financially. For one thing all glass (windows, sliding doors, even table inlays) had to be replaced with safety glass if it was a certain length (I can't remember what length but I know that we were up for more than $3000). There were also compulsory toys and accessories that, even when buying second hand would still add up (for instance, one mandatory item was four wooden puzzles which the cheapest price I could find them was $10ea).
In the end the set up costs coupled with the fact that although you can choose your own hours, you are "advised" strongly to start your day at 0630am and end by 1830 just didn't make it that attractive for me at the time. Now that I have DD2 I have thought of revisiting the idea but the set up costs would still be prohibitive

[rach74]

Hi there,

My mum has been a Family Day Care Carer for for 20yrs now. She loves it. My step-father works in the office co-ordinating etc.

I did it for 12mths . The only reason I stopped is I was moving to Sydney. It was great. You can pick the kids you look after, pick how many kids you want to look after, pick the hours you want to work.

Now that I have had my own baby I am considering doing it again. I want to work but I also want to be at home with my baby girl & this is the best way I can do that.

Rach74