How is Family and In Home Care different from centre based care?
Communities@Work Family Day Care is a community-based quality child care service offering professional care for children in the private homes of approved Family Day Carers or in the children's home as In Home Care. Our carers offer individual attention to children in small group settings with the intimacy of a home environment.
The hours of care are flexible and include full-time care, regular part-time care, roster care, before and after school care, 24 hour care, casual on-call and weekend care.
There are conditions around how many children maybe cared for at any one time,
- a maximum of four children under school age (including their own children)
- three school age children (also including their own children).
Carers approved with the Family Day Care Program are self-employed, operating their own business from home. The program supports carers in setting up their business, and offers ongoing support and advice.
What are the requirements of being a carer?
Approved carers
- Undergo an assessment interview
- Provide referees
- Have a Police Records Check for themselves and other adults in their household
- Complete an Orientation Course
- Complete a home safety assessment
- Hold a current Senior First Aid Certificate.
How much does Family Day Care and In Home Care cost?
Carers are self employed and as such, set their own rates. In most instances the rates charged are competitive with other similar programs and do represent a less expensive and more flexible option than centre based care.
The Australian Government also provides Child Care Benefit to help families with the cost of child care. You can find more information relating to the Child Care Benefit from the Family Assistance Office website or by phoning 13 61 50.
How do I apply for Family Day Care and In Home Care?
Contact us to discuss if Family Day Care or In Home Care is the best option for your family. We will explain the process and facilitate the introduction to a care provider.