Family Day Care

• What is Family Day Care?
• Who are Family Day Careproviders?
• About the Coordination Unit
• Childcare Benefit
• Looking for Childcare in Banyule area

What is Family Day Care?

Family Day Care Playgroup

Family Day Care is a unique, home-based childcare service providing quality care for children in the homes of Family Day Care carers, supported by a local specialist coordination unit and resource team.

Family Day Care provides learning and development in a safe, secure and stimulating home environment for babies and children up to 12 years of age.

For children, being nurtured and having the opportunity to develop in a secure, home-based, family-focused environment, and mixing with a diverse range of ages and culture is a great way to build self-esteem and social skills.

In Family Day Care, children learn through play and exploration while mixing within a small group. They participate in activities planned by the carer to suit each child's individual needs, this may include story-telling, singing, art and craft, playgroup session, visiting the park or the library.

Who are Family Day Careproviders?

Family Day Care Providers are contractors registered with Banyule City Council and hold a minimum certificate 3 in tertiary education as well as a current police check and working with children check.

The carers hold a current first aid certificate and maintain public liability insurance.

All Careproviders undergo a thorough selection process and annual safety assessments of their home and outside environments.

Carers have appropriate understandings of childrens' needs and abilities and are sensitive to families.

Careproviders are culturally diverse and are inclusive of all.

About the Coordination Unit

The key roles of the Coordination Unit is to support and resource the highest standard of Family Day Care for children. They are there to discuss your childcare needs, to provide information about childcare and to assist you to find the right carer and environment for your child. They are also there to monitor your child's wellbeing, learning and progress.

The Coordination Unit works in partnership with carers to uphold organisational values, meet required legislation, National Standards and the formal Family Day Care Quality Assurance system.

Carers are visited regularly by trained Resource Officers who also run play sessions and offer toy library services to ensure that children have a variety of stimulating play experiences.

Childcare Benefit

The Childcare Benefit is a payment made by the Commonwealth Government to assist families with the cost of quality childcare.

All families are eligible for the Childcare Benefit.

Please contact the Family Assistance Office (FAO) on 13 61 50 to register.

Looking for Childcare in Banyule area

Banyule City Council manages three Long Day Care Centres and a Family Day Care scheme. All parents / guardians seeking care at one of Council’s Long Day Care Centres or with our Family Day Care program should complete a Child Care Waiting List Application Form and submit it to Council, via:

• Email: enquiries@banyule.vic.gov.au
• Mail: PO Box 51, IVANHOE 3079
• Hand deliver to: a Council Customer Service Centre (Greensborough, Rosanna or Ivanhoe)

If you have difficulties downloading the form please contact Council and one will be mailed to you. Once your application is received it will be acknowledged in writing.  

Childcare places are offered in order of date of application, having consideration for the days requested and the families’ working and/or studying requirements. There is no set waiting period and all services endeavour to fill vacancies in an efficient and timely manner.  

Service planning for the calendar year commences in October of the previous year, so it is important that parents plan in advance and register their child/children for care as soon as they know care requirements.  

It is essential to keep Council informed of any changes to your contact details and/or care requirements. 

As demand for child care is quite high within the Banyule area, parents/guardians are encouraged to register with the other community and/or privately operated centres in the area. There is no centralised application process for other centres.