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Family Day Care — Career Opportunities
WORK AT HOME, CARING FOR CHILDREN
Earn an income by caring for children in your home. Communities@Work Family Day Care Scheme provides the opportunity to start up your own home-based child care service and gain valuable small business skills.
You’ll have the support of one of Australia’s largest community-based family day care networks, and Communities@Work Support Managers will assist you in delivering the highest standards in child care.
If you’re interested in caring for children, working flexible hours and operating your own business from home, contact Communities@Work on 6231 2835.
Testimonials
Theresa
"Hi! My name is Theresa and I have been a Family Day Carer for three years.
I started soon after the birth of my second son, Noah. A job where you get to play all day, rewarded with hugs, laughter and beautiful drawings made just for you is just wonderful!
I decided to work as a family day carer because it means I can work from home, watch Noah grow and be there for my eldest son Nathan during his first years at high school. It also gives me a chance to be a part of other children's lives and experience their different personalities. It's been far more rewarding than anything I have put my hand to in the 
past. It's a beautiful feeling to have somebody else's child put their arms around you for a hug and know they feel secure in your care.
We take part in many activities including playgroup, story time at the library and tot's tumbling. At home we do crafts, cooking, singing and dancing on a regular basis.
Noah has made many friends and learnt so much from having other children around on a daily basis. Amelia who is 5 has been in care with me for over a year now and is Noah's best friend. She has taught him many games but their favourites are pretend games where they are cats or tigers.
Charlotte, 18 months, has been with us for almost a year and it has been very exciting to see her progress through crawling, walking and learning new words. She is quite a character and makes me laugh every day with her funny expressions.
Taiana is 2½ and loves to sing and dance and play with the older girls.
I look after 5 school age children altogether - Mae loves craft, reading and is very helpful with the other children. Sophie and Christina also love craft and playing outside. Meg and Hannah are my early starters and with me one morning a week - always with smiles on their faces despite their early start!
Working with children has inspired me to learn all I can about quality child care. I am currently completing my Certificate III in Children's Services through Communities@Work registered training provider, Train.2.Work and would like to continue through to complete my Diploma.
I feel I have the best of both worlds - a front row seat to watch my children grow up as well as a job that I truly enjoy!"
Danielle
"My name is Danielle and I have been a Family Day Carer for the past 6 years providing care in Brisbane, Townsville and now Canberra. As a Defence family we move regularly and I wanted to be able to be at home with my children to assist them with transitioning into 
each new area. Being a Family Day Carer has allowed me the opportunity to do this, while developing the many skills needed to run a small business and have a career that I truly enjoy.
The children and I attend playgroup and music classes most weeks. We spend our days learning through play, craft and art activities, reading stories, singing, dancing, and developing social skills.
I am currently studying for my diploma in Children's Services through Communities@Work's registered training provider, Train.2.Work. Having access to training ensures that I keep up with changing requirements and enables me to continue developing my skills as a carer so that I can offer the children quality care.
I love having the children arrive every day and enjoy seeing the wonder in their eyes as we discover new things around our community. I also enjoy being able to take the time to look at things from a child's perspective. I feel like I havea the greatest job in the world."
Ann
"My name is Ann and I have been a Family Day Carer with Communities@Work for about 19 years.I decided to become a carer as it fitted in well with my own family. Even though my own children have left home, I still enjoy the work very much.
Over the last 19 years I have looked after many children from the ages of 6 weeks to 12 years old. I am able to run my own program and the children get to enjoy a great variety of things to do including indoor and outdoor play, excursions, playgroups held at other carers' homes, and playgroup organised by Communities@Work.
I have made many friends with families from all sorts of different backgrounds which is very educational for myself and the children in care.
Carers have very good opportunities to do in-service training with Communities@Work which is very beneficial.
Carers also value a great support system from the coordination unit.
To be a Family Day Carer gives me the opportunity to be my own boss, choose my own hours of work, and of course at times a holiday.If you like to work with children in a small environment this is the way to go. I enjoy my work a lot and I won't be leaving just yet."
Sharon
"Hello! My name is Sharon and I have been a Family Day Care worker with Communities@Work for eleven years. I chose to work in Family Day Care to be at home with my children before they went to school. Now I find it complements our lifestyle so much that I wouldn't work anywhere else! The flexibility to balance a career with my family's ever changing needs is wonderful. Every day is different and every family is different. The diversity of the job keeps me stimulated. I talk and mix with families and children on a daily basis. This builds trust and valuable knowledge which helps me plan activities the children will enjoy and learn from. The children love coming to Family Day Care. Bryn and Jesse, both aged two, love water play and working on puzzles. Michael, aged four, enjoys stories and dramatic play and is never far away from the dress up rack. Khi, five, will often ask Mum "Is it a Sharon day today?" He adores working with boxes, collage materials and tape. Jackson, also five, enjoys skate parks and wants to come every day. Kaitlyn, seven, loves exploring her creative side. Benjamin, nine, is the ‘team coach' and encourages the other children to join him in a game of cricket, baseball, basketball and skating. I have been able to develop useful professional skills through the extensive Communities@Work carer in-service program. I have also nearly completed a formal Diploma in Children's Services. This is a nationally recognised qualification which I am studying through Communities@Work's registered training provider, Train.2.Work. This training enhances my business so I can provide a high quality service for my families and the children in my care. I regularly meet other family day carers at playgroup, training and social events where friendships are developed and ideas shared. I'm proud to be a Family Day Carer with Communities@Work. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys working with children and who would like to be self employed, working from home. The greatest benefit, of course, is to be there for your family when they need you. It doesn't get much better than that!"
Betty
"My name is Betty and I have been a Family Day Carer with Communities@Work for over 16 years caring for children from six weeks to five years. I've been supported every step of the way by Communities@Work's fantastic Family Day Care coordination unit. They also provide great training opportunities beneficial for both carers and children. For instance I am about to enrol in Certificate III Children's Services at a significantly reduced cost.
Attending Family Day Care Playgroups has become a regular outing for myself and many carers and children. It's a wonderful experience. Not only do the children have fun but carers meet and develop great friendships. There are also lots of activities aimed at developing the children's creative and social skills.
There are lots of benefits working as a Family Day Carer. I am my own boss, the hours are flexible and best of all I can work from home and be there for my own children during their school years.
On the social side, I've had the chance to attend some terrific events such as a Carers Presentation evening, a Multicultural Celebration night and Christmas dinners. Then there are the events organised at the park during Children's week and Christmas. The children love these.
Working with Family Day Care over the years has provided me with great opportunities to meet some wonderful families. I have formed many friendships, so much so that my daughter has become the godmother of one of the children I cared for. We remain great friends with this family even though the children are no longer in my care."
Tracy
"Hi my name's Tracy and I'm a Family Day Carer with Communities@Work.
I love my job because it gives me a chance to provide other families with a high standard of child care in my own home. It also means I can be home with my own children and gain skills running a small business.
Family Day Care is a wonderful way for children to be cared for in small groups. Each child receives special attention and the guidance they need to grow in a welcoming and enjoyable environment with other children.
As a Family Day Carer I have ongoing support and resources available to me from Communities@Work, including a toy library, organised outings, playgroups, training seminars, on the spot advice and assistance.
All in all everything needed to enjoy every moment of my child care business!"
Frequently Asked Questions
What support will I get as a Carer?
What is the role of the coordination unit?
How many children can I care for at any one time?
Are carers employed by the Scheme?
What are the requirements for approval as a Carer?
What is the process for assessment of suitability as a new Carer?
How do I apply to become a Carer?
What support will I get as a Carer?
The support of staff in the Coordination Unit ensure that carers are resourced, trained and up-to-date with current child care practices.
Carers have access to Scheme playgroups, a toy and puzzle library, some equipment (for short term loan) and In-service training.
Carers also have access to a National Insurance Plan through Family Day Care Australia website.
What is the role of the coordination unit?
The coordination unit manages and supports the provision of quality child care by:
- assisting families to access child care and providing on-going advice, information and support to families
- recruiting, training and providing on-going support to carers
- encouraging communication between Scheme staff, families and carers
- keeping up to date with current practice and directions in child care, and
- administering Scheme policies and procedures and Australian and ACT government requirements.
How many children can I care for at any one time?
Under ACT license conditions, carers may care for a maximum of four children under school age (including their own children) and three school age children (also including their own children) at any one time.
What income will I earn?
Carers follow a Recommended Payment Schedule (also available in the Fees and Charges section of this website) which states a recommended hourly rate for standard and non-standard hours of care, school age care and casual on-call care. Carers may also charge a Carer Fee.
A Carer’s income will depend on the number of children they have in care and their hours/days of care, while meeting license requirements.
Are carers employed by the Scheme?
Carers approved by Communities@Work are self-employed and run their own business from home. The Scheme supports Carers to set up their business, by offering support and advice.
As a self-employed Carer, you can choose the hours and days you wish to work and the age group of the children you wish to care for.
What are the requirements for approval as a Carer?
A carer is approved by the Scheme to provide care for children in the carer’s home. Approval as a carer is dependent upon maintaining Scheme policies and procedures, ACT Family Day Care Conditions for Approvals in Principle and Licences conditions, and other government requirements.
Approval as a carer with the Scheme is also dependent upon successfully meeting Scheme requirements.
What is the process for assessment of suitability as a new Carer?
Initial Interview
An initial home assessment is carried out when an applicant is interviewed as a prospective new carer. Coordination Unit staff will interview the applicant in their own home.
This initial interview allows Coordination Unit staff to assess the applicant’s motivation, communication skills, understanding and experience of children’s and families’ needs, including planning daily activities and approach to behaviour guidance. Coordination Unit staff also need to assess the adequacy of the applicant’s home in relation to the provision of care e.g. safety, security, cleanliness.
This initial home assessment is also used to allow the Coordination Unit staff to explain to the applicant the requirements of the Scheme.
Orientation Training
Applicants are required to successfully complete Orientation Training conducted by staff of the Scheme. The Orientation is held at our Calwell Training Centre. There are five, two and a half hour sessions held each week on a Wednesday evening from 6.30pm to 9.pm.
Home Safety Assessment
A mutually convenient time will be made for a home safety assessment to be conducted. The home safety assessment is carried out by Coordination Unit staff in the presence of the applicant.
Outcome of Assessment
When all the requirements for approval as a carer with the Scheme have been satisfactorily met and satisfactory Police Record Checks are received, the Coordination Unit will send a letter to the applicant informing them that they have met Scheme requirements and will be approved as a carer with the Scheme. Coordination Unit staff will then start offering placements.
How do I apply to become a Carer?
You can complete the Carer Application form (available in the Forms section of this website) and send to Communities@Work. Alternatively you can contact Communities@Work directly and Carer Application form and Information Booklet will be sent to you.
Further information can be found in the Scheme Information for Carers and their Families Booklet (also available in the Policies and Procedures section of this website).
When you have completed and returned the Carer Application form, you will be contacted and an appointment will be made for an interview to be carried out in your own home.
