Our Most Asked Questions
Should you not be able to find the answer you are looking for below please feel free to Contact Us directly and we will be sure to get back to you within 48 business hours.
What is the National Quality Framework?
Family Day Care (FDC) provides early childhood education and care services for children across Australia. FDC operates under the same National Quality Framework (NQF) as other forms of child care.
The aim of the NQF is to raise quality and drive continuous improvement and consistency in education and care services through the Education and Care Services National Regulation 2011 (under the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010), the National Quality Standard, the National Quality and Rating Assessment Process, Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and the My Time Our Place (MTOP) – Framework for School Aged Care.
The EYLF Belonging, Being and Becoming guides Educators to provide young children with opportunities to maximise their potential and develop a foundation for future success in learning. It has a specific emphasis on play based learning and recognises the importance of communication and language (including early literacy and numeracy) and social and emotional development. It is based on the vision that "All children have the best start in life to create a better future for themselves and for the nation".
MTOP - The Framework for School Age Care guides Educators to collaborate with children to provide play and leisure opportunities that are meaningful to children and support their wellbeing, learning and development. It identifies school age as a time of choice and collaboration to extend life skills and develop dispositions towards citizenship.
What is the National Quality Standard?
The National Quality Standard (NQS) are a set of quality standards that children’s education and care services across Australia are assessed and rated against. The NQS consists of seven quality areas.
• Educational program and practice
• Children’s health and safety
• Physical environment
• Staffing arrangements
• Relationships with children
• Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
• Leadership and service management
What is the Child Care Subsidy?
The Australian Government provides eligible families with assistance to help cover the costs of approved child care – the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). CCS has replaced the former Child Care Benefit (CCB) and the Child Care Rebate (CCR).
Families will need to contact Centrelink to check their eligibility and to apply. It is recommended that families contact Centrelink prior to commencing care.
For more information:
Are FDC Educators qualified professionals?
FDC Educators are approved, early childhood education and care professionals who engage in the principles and practices of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and work within the requirements of the National Quality Framework.
In order to provide a safe educational environment for your child, there are requirements for all Educators to:
• Hold or be actively working towards a Certificate III level education and care qualification.
• Meet national standards which include maintaining quality learning programs, safe and hygienic learning environments,
record keeping and qualifications.
• Maintain current first aid and CPR certificates and training in the emergency management of asthma and anaphylaxis.
• Maintain a clearance for working with children.
• Participate in regular support and monitoring visits conducted by their coordination unit.
• Attend training, meetings and workshops periodically to maintain currency of skills and knowledge.
• Maintain current public liability insurance coverage.
Who will be responsible for the safety of my child?
Your child's safety and well-being is of paramount importance. Each Educator is required to have a comprehensive annual home safety audit. Coordinators from Chasing Rainbows FDC visit the Educators on a regular basis to ensure that all safety measures are met at all times. Car seats are required to have safety inspections every 12 months by an authorised fitting station.
All Educators are required to have training certificates in First Aid, CPR, Anaphylaxis and Asthma. These training certificates are checked and updated to ensure they are current and up to date.
Throughout the year all Educators are required to undertake training opportunities to support the Educators to deliver quality education and care.
All Educators and all members of the FDC Educator's home that are over 18 years old are required to have a current Working With Children Check (WWCC).
What questions do I ask my Educator when we meet?
Each Educator implements the philosophy of Chasing Rainbows FDC in their service, as well as their own beliefs and interests. Discuss what routine you have with your child in regards to meal times and sleeping. Does your child have a comforter, dummy or favourite toy? Has your child been left in care before with grandparents, friends or family? Does your child have a favourite interest or toy at the moment, this will help the Educator make informed choices on how to settle your child into care. Discuss what foods your child likes or dislikes, any allergies or medical conditions and what stage your child is at with toileting so you and the Educator can work together with these issues and both meet with the same expectations.
Will my child be taken on outings whilst in care?
Some Educators take the children in care on excursions to playgroup, the park or visit other Educators in their homes for play sessions. Some Educators also have commitments to school drop off and pick ups. All excursions need to be approved by the Coordination Unit and written risk assessments are carried out for all venues that Educators visit. Parents have to sign permission for their child to go on routine and non routine excursions.
Excursions are an opportunity for children to experience a larger group setting with other children and develop friendships outside the immediate day care setting. Exploring the local community parks and libraries are opportunities for children to extend their FDC experience. As a parent you need to discuss what your Educator's routine is regarding excursions so you are well informed before the commencement of care.
What do I do next?
Once you have met with the Educator and you are happy for your child to commence care you will need to complete and send us a number of documents before your child begins care.
• Complete the online enrolment form (let the Educator know you would like to be sent instructions for enrolment), making sure that you have supplied us your CRN and your child's CRN. If you are unsure of what your CRN, please contact Centrelink.
• A copy of your child's birth certificate.
• A copy of your child's online version immunisation report.
Australian Childhood Immunisation Register enquiries - 1800 653 809