Becoming a Care Provider

Caring is rewarding

Michelle Rodda, Director of community services from Wesley Mission Brisbane, presents Julie Coleman, Family Day Carer with her certificate of approval.

This scheme needs people who:

are willing to make a commitment to Family Day Care for a minimum period of one year
can fulfil scheme requirements in relation to safety and suitability of premises
will gain their Senior First Aid Certificate (at own expense)
have an appropriate understanding of children's needs and development
have an understanding of the individual differences between children
have knowledge of activities that would stimulate a child's growth and development
have knowledge of positive behavioural management techniques
have an ability to communicate easily with children and adults
can establish cooperative working relationships with parents and coordination unit staff.
Are willing to be part of the ongoing accreditation process.

Care Arrangements

For funding and administration purposes, as well as protection for care providers, all care situations must be arranged through the coordination unit. Parents requesting care are interviewed by coordinators and referrals are made after consultation with care providers. Referrals are made on the basis of; compatible expectations, personalities of parent and care provider, the needs of the children already in care and many other factors.

Carers, in consultation with the coordination unit, decide on their hours of availability. We have many different requests for care, including; full time, part time, extended hours, overnight, weekend, shift work, rotating rosters and twenty four hour care for emergency and work related purposes.

The limit on the number of children in each registered day care home, at any one time, is determined by Government legislation and MUST be adhered to at all times.

Up to four pre-school aged children, including your own.
Up to three after school children excluding your own.

Registration

A carer is initially registered for a period of three months.

At the end of this period there will be a formal review before you are registered with the scheme for the next twelve months.

All carers are reregistered annually. This is a formal assessment process, on completion of which a new certificate is issued.

Costs

Your earning potential as a carer is varied as Family Day Care is now fee de-regulated, which means carers can now set their own hourly rate.

There is no application fee to become a carer.

If you are approved to start as a care provider, a scheme starter kit will need to be purchased. This contains; copies of attendance records, parent contracts, policies, regulations, training booklets, child health and hygiene books, taxation guide, general resources, etc.

Once you are working as a carer you will pay a weekly levy to the scheme. This levy covers operational costs not funded by the Government. Levy money may be used to cover costs associated with ongoing paperwork, training, toy and equipment library, etc.

It is scheme policy that all care providers carry appropriate public liability and professional indemnity insurance. Family Day Care Australia has negotiated an insurance policy specifically for care providers at reasonable rates, details of which are in the starter kit. You must hold appropriate insurance before starting work as a carer. Call the following NFDCCA number: 1800 658 699. An excellent booklet on Insurance can be found on the NFDCCA website (see address final page).

You and any adult occupants of your home, 18 years and over, will need to apply for a Blue Card (working with children suitability card). Your application will cost $40.00, there is no charge for other adult occupants. You cannot begin work as a carer until you have received your Blue Card.

You will also need to have an annual Doctor's Medical check done and this may incur a consultation cost to you.

Finally you must have a current CPR and Senior First Aid Certificate. You must meet this cost yourself also.

What Next?

Fill in the carer application form and return to the office
Fill in criminal history forms for anyone residing in your home who is over eighteen years and send to Commission for Children and Young People.
Have a good look at the safety of your home and yard to see what may need to be done.

the impact of Family Day Care on your family
what may need to be done to your home and yard to comply with safety regulations
your knowledge of children and how you will provide for them within your home
regulations, policies, procedures
behaviour management, communication techniques, child development, etc.

Training

Our scheme provides approximately $2500 worth of training and resourcing throughout your application process.

You will be expected to complete a selection of training modules before commencing as a carer.

Training modules are self paced but it is recommended that each module takes no longer than two weeks to be completed.

Topics include: Child Development, Professionalism, Behaviour Management, Safety and Hygiene, and Child Protection.

Coordinators will support you through this process and assess your level of understanding on each topic. You will also be asked to attend playgroup for coordinators to watch your interactions with children, and for you to meet other Family Day Carers.

You will also need to attend a paperwork training session, as the administrative requirements of Family Day Care are very specific regarding fees, compliance, receipting, etc.

The coordination unit will also follow up the references supplied in your application form.

Conclusion

Balmoral Family Day Care Scheme is looking for enthusiastic people who want to work with children and families to provide quality care within their home. Family Day Care is a professional child care service and carers are expected to maintain standards of confidentiality and respect when dealing with children, families and the coordination unit.

We look forward to working with you throughout your application process. A useful website is the National Family Day Care Council of Australia website. Once there click on the green square link entitled, "lets get building - become a family day carer."