Parent Information
Information for Parents
How much does it cost?
What are the operating hours?
What ages, and how about care for babies?
How many children will be in the group?
Can I select the educator for my child?
What activities & benefits are there for my child in Family Day Care?
What about safety?
What about the holidays?
What happens if my child is sick?
What if my child has a disability or a chronic medical condition?
How will I know if the educator is sensitive to my child’s language and cultural background?
How much does it cost?
Family Day Care is charged on an hourly basis, so your fees will depend on the
number of hours you require the service.
Ipswich Family Day Care is a registered service for Child Care Benefit, so you can use CCB to reduce your fees. The Commonwealth Government determines the level of assistance by assessing parent income through the Family Assistance Office (Centrelink). For more information phone 13 61 50 between 8am – 8pm Mon-Fri or access website via our Links page.
Once fees and Child Care Benefit are established, you pay your contribution
directly to the care provider and the Scheme pays the care provider the remaining
amount.
IFDC staff can provide you with an approximation of the level of benefit for
which you may be eligible, so why not phone and talk with a co-ordinator about
costs (phone 3202 2066 between 9am – 4pm Mon-Fri).
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What are the operating hours?
Care is available 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks of the year. IFDC co-ordinators
will be happy to talk with you about arranging care to suit your needs – many
educators start very early or finish late, while others work overnights
and weekends. Family Day Care is ideal for shift workers or rotating rosters!
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What ages, and how about care for babies?
The Scheme caters for children 0 – 12 years, and is especially good at providing
care for babies – no age limits for that group – and no extra fees either! The
Scheme’s co-ordinators and care providers are very sensitive to the concerns
and anxieties of parents needing to arrange care for their baby.
School age children are also very welcome in Family Day Care! Educators
are willing to transport children to/from school and pre-school and other activities
- extra fees apply to this service.
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How many children will be in the group?
The maximum number allowed for each group is 7 children, of whom no more than
4 are under school age including the educator’s own children who have not
yet started school. There will not be more than 2 babies under one year in any
group.
In practice some groups may be smaller than 7 since not all care providers
work with maximum numbers. The aim is to make careful placements so that children
are cared for in groups that give the optimum environment for meeting their
developmental needs.
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Can I select the care provider for my child?
Yes, most definitely! The Scheme’s co-ordinator will ask you to come into the
Scheme office and discuss what is important to you and what your child needs.
You will then be put in contact with two or three suitable educators and
invited to meet with them in their homes. Co-ordinators encourage and assist
parents and educators to make choices and commitments that are most likely
to have positive outcomes, especially for the children.
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What activities & benefits are there for
my child in Family Day Care?
Your child will receive lots of affection and individual attention from the
educator, while learning through play and exploration. A small group enables
the children to form secure relationships and friendships.
There will be planned activities such as story telling, singing, playing games,
dressing up, building cubbies, reading books, painting / collage / playdough,
and visiting the park or library. A range of indoor and outdoor experiences
will be available, with special events such as visit to a farm or theatre offered
by the Scheme from time to time.
Playgroup sessions are organised by Scheme staff and operate from the IFDC
Resource Centre at 54 Phillip St One Mile, on three mornings each week. These
are a great opportunity for children to experience a larger group with special
activities to enhance fun and extend learning. Parents are welcome too!
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What about safety?
Educator’s homes and cars must meet stringent safety standards – you’re invited
to phone the Scheme and ask for a copy of the checklist! Co-ordinators regularly
visit educators to offer advice and to check that safety and health standards
are being met.
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What about the holidays?
Educators take holidays each year and the IFDC co-ordinators can arrange
an alternative carer for your child during that period. Many families and their
educators arrange to take holidays at the same time each year. If you take
holidays at a different time from your care provider, you will be asked to pay
a holding fee for your child’s place – this is charged at less than your usual
weekly fee – refer to Fee Schedule.
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What happens if my child is sick?
If your child becomes ill or has an infectious disease, you will be asked to
keep them out of care until the condition clears, and you may be asked for a
clearance from the doctor. The Scheme recommends that you arrange for an emergency
support person who will be able to care for your sick child if you are unavailable.
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What if my child has a disability or a chronic
medical condition?
Ipswich Family Day Care has educators and resources to support the care
of children in these special circumstances. The Scheme’s co-ordinators can also
arrange for other support agencies to offer extra assistance to parents, children
and educators.
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How will I know if the educator is sensitive
to my child’s language and cultural background?
Discuss this issue with the Scheme’s co-ordinator and educators. Every
effort will be made to enhance children’s awareness of, and respect for, cultural
differences and similarities, and to instil in them pride in their cultural
heritage. If you are not confident in speaking English, the co-ordinator can
arrange for assistance from a translator.
If you would like to download a copy of the Parent Information Handbook please click here.