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Family Day Care is a home-based childcare service for children from birth to 12 years of age that is approved by the Australian Government. It differs from a Centre-based Long Daycare in many ways including;

• Primary caregiving - a long daycare centre will have different staff catering to the needs of your child throughout the day and on different days, whereas in family day care it will be the one and the same educator who will be well aware of the needs of your child and your expectations from the inception

• Environment - a long daycare centre is a commercial building built for a specific purpose. It will have separate rooms for different age groups of children with furniture and resources arranged in a particular way. Whereas family day care is in a home with furniture and materials arranged in a way similar to how they are in your home that gives a child familiarity and comfort

• Ratio - a long daycare centre will have lower 'educator to child' ratio (as low as 1 educator for 11 children in the three to four years of age) and a large number of children may be placed in a room dependant upon the size of the room. Whereas in family day care an educator can only have up to 4 children under the age of five years, making the ratio 1:4 and ultimately resulting in more one to one interaction and intentional planning for the learning and development of the individual child

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When you contact us, you will talk with a professional who is skilled in matching your requirements with the right educator from a pool of educators engaged by the service. You will make the ultimate choice of whom you choose to provide care for your child after having met the educator at their premises.

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Some aspects to look for at an educator's premises:

• Atmosphere - safe, comfortable, arrangement of resources, attitudes of the adults

• Space - indoor/outdoor areas and equipment, choice of activities, space to rest, sleep, be noisy and quiet

• Educator - make you feel welcome, answer all your questions, finds out how best to care for your child

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Questions you might have for educators at the first meeting:

• What are their operating hours and days and do they suit your family? Some (not all) family day care educators provide all hours and holiday care, occasional care and care at short notice 

• Are there places are available for the days you require? 

• What are the fees? 

• Are there are any costs in addition to fees (such as for transport or for food)? 

• Are children with additional needs supported by modifying their home? 

• What education programs are in place and how will that be communicated to you?