If you're wondering whether a family day care environment is the right fit for your family, have a look at the benefits of choosing family day care, when considering child care and early education options for your child.
When it comes to early education and care, parents want a safe, nurturing and flexible environment that supports their child’s learning and development. Family day care offers a unique setting that provides just that: an intimate, home-like atmosphere with small group sizes, personalised attention, and tailored learning experiences.
Benefits of Family Day Care
Family Day Care is more than just a childcare option. It’s a dynamic early learning experience where children thrive in a warm, engaging setting. Here’s why families are choosing this personalised approach to care:
1. Tailored Learning for Every Child
Family Day Care educators create individualised learning programs based on each child’s unique interests and development needs. The educators provide a play-based learning program tailored to each child’s strengths, needs, and interests. This personalised approach ensures an enriching experience that supports individual development.
2. Flexible Hours to Suit Your Lifestyle
Whether you work standard hours, early mornings, late evenings, or weekends, family day care offers the flexibility modern families need. Many educators offer care beyond traditional hours, providing flexibility for parents with varied schedules.
3. A Healthier Environment for Your Child
Many parents find that smaller group settings lead to fewer illnesses compared to larger childcare centres. With fewer children in each group, families often find that their little ones experience fewer colds and common illnesses – especially during peak flu seasons.
4. Real World Learning and Community Connections
Family day care goes beyond the classroom by encouraging children to explore their local community.
Educators integrate everyday experiences into learning, such as visits to the local library, shopping trips that teach social skills, and time spent in community gardens and outdoor spaces. These real-world experiences help children develop confidence and build meaningful connections.
The coordination unit supports educators to explore their community by facilitating excursions and connections within the Canberra community, such as the Erindale Community Garden and ACT parks, libraries, etc.
Communities at Work also hold several playgroups each week, which provides valuable opportunities for educators to socialise and network with other educators and for the children in their care to build their social skills.
5. Strong, Lasting Bonds with Educators
The close-knit environment of family day care allows children to develop deep and trusting relationships with their educators.
When families join the program, emphasis is placed on finding the perfect fit between the child, family, and educator. With nearly 60 qualified educators from diverse backgrounds, parents can choose the best match for their child’s needs.
“We just love that our daughter loves going to Brooke’s Family Day Care. She always has a great time; they go on adventures out in the community and have access to a lot of different experiences. We are exceptionally happy with Brooke and the service she provides and have nothing but praise for her and how she conducts her Family Day Care” – Parent
A Strong Support Network for Educators and Families
Communities at Work’s Family Day Care program is a nationally recognised, award-winning service supporting nearly 400 children across Canberra.
Our dedicated Family Day Care Coordination Unit strongly supports our educators, ensuring they meet all industry regulations, and have access to ongoing professional development, daily support, home visits, and networking opportunities with other educators. This strong network ensures high-quality education and peace of mind for families.
Why Choose Communities at Work Family Day Care?
Communities at Work is committed to providing high-quality, small group education and care tailored to families’ needs. Our educators are self-employed professionals dedicated to fostering children’s learning in a warm and nurturing environment.
Our family day care service team has received multiple awards, including:
- National FDC Service of the Year (2025 Family Day Care Australia Awards)
- Coordinator Perpetual Star Award (2024 Family Day Care Australia Awards): Theresa Roberts, Manager of Communities at Work Family Day Care
- National Educational Leader of the Year (2023 Family Day Care Australia Awards): Chamalee Prathiraja
Our Philosophy – Growing Together
- Respectful Relationships
We embrace individuality and celebrate diversity in all its forms. We treat everyone with kindness and respect.
- Collaborative Partnerships
We work with families and the community to support each child’s holistic development
- Connecting to our Community and Earth
We explore, respect, and care for our world, learning from both nature and our community.
- A Culture of Respect and Inclusion
We honour diverse cultures, traditions, and languages, ensuring every voice is heard and valued.
- Safe, Secure and Included
Every child has the right to feel safe, valued, and included. This is a place where everyone belongs!
- Rights of Every Child
Every child has the right to feel safe, to have a sense of belonging, to have their voices heard on matters that affect them, and to express their views freely.
- Technology
Technology is not a replacement for play, relationships, or exploration—it complements them
- Our People
We value the crucial roles that everyone plays in shaping decisions to empower future citizens.
Contact Us
If you’re looking for a personalised, high quality childcare solution that fits your lifestyle, find out more about our family day care services today.
To find out more, visit our Communities at Work Family Day Care Page