How to Start Your Own Family Day Care

In celebration of National Family Day Care Week; a week dedicated to recognising the importance of family day care educators, we took a look at what it takes to start your own family day care.

Over the years there has been a rapid increase in demand for childcare services. Long waiting lists, increased costs and inflexible hours have led many people to start their own family day care. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistic, family day care accounts for 12 per cent of Australia’s entire early childhood education and care sector with more than 17,00 educators! ABS, 2014

Running a family day care is ideal for stay at home mums who are keen to continue caring for their children and earn an income at the same time. Many other people including individuals with a passion for caring for children, childcare workers looking for a career change and those interested in starting their own business from home invest in starting their own family day care business.

Interested in doing the same? Follow this step-by-step guide on how to start your own family day care!

Step 1: Get Qualified

In Australia, all childcare workers and educators are required to have, or to be actively working towards, an approved Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.  This training doesn’t need to be completed before you open your own family day care, but it does need to have been started.

You can further this training with a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. At Queensford College, our Diploma includes a specific family day care unit ‘Comply with Family Day Care Administration Requirements.’  This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to comply with the administrative tasks established for family day care operations. It looks at record keeping, following organisational requirements for taxation and insurance specific to family day care. This level of professional training can help align your study and business goals.

Overall, a qualification in Early Childhood Education and Care reflects the required skills and knowledge you will need to work in a childcare care settings; especially if you plan to open your own family day care.

Step 2: Understand the National Quality Framework (NQF)

Before you start your family day care you must have a comprehensive understanding of the National Quality Framework (NQF). According to the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), this is legislative frame work that creates a uniform approach to the regulation and quality assessment of child care services in Australia. ACECQA, 2017

As a family day care owner you will be required to understand and implement its guidelines into your service to ensure positive outcomes for children. It covers several areas such as:

– 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

Step 3: Understand and Meet Regulatory Requirements

In order to start your own family day care you must meet regulatory requirements. Because you will be teaching and caring for children in your own home, you need to ensure your residence is safe, and you are practising within legal guidelines.  A list of these requirements, named the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations can be found online at ACECQ.  Some things on this list include:

Your home must have:

– Indoor spaces that are well ventilated with enough natural light and safe temperature
– An outdoor space that is enclosed by a fence or barrier that is of a height and design that prevents children from going through, over or under
– A first aid kit that is suitably equipped and easily recognisable is readily accessible
– Access to an operating telephone or other similar means of communication for immediate communication to and from parents and emergency services
– Be a safe and secure environment for the children in your care

While caring for children you must ensure:

– Children are adequately supervised (maximum of 7 children at a time, or 4 children preschool age or under in the group)
– Children are not subject to any form of corporal punishment or discipline that is unreasonable in the circumstances
– Children are provided with an environment free from the use of tobacco, illicit drugs and alcohol
– Children have access to nutritious food and safe drinking water
– Children’s needs for rest and sleep are met
– Medication is not administered to a child unless it is authorised

Before applying for a license it is recommended you work on getting your residence up to standard. A full checklist of requirements are available on the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQ) here.

Find out more about National Family Day Care Week 1^st – 7^th May.

Step 4: Apply for a License

To become an approved childcare service you must contact your state or territory family day care service provider and apply for a service approval. This service will work with you to ensure you meet legislation requirements and National standards. To be considered for approval you must meet all the requirements and submit a form with appropriate documentation.

Whilst it differs all over Australia, you can expect to provide these required documents:

A background check: It is essential to obtain a criminal history check to be considered a suitable person for working with children. This requirement is to help ensure people working with children are suitable for the role, having regard to the security, health, safety and welfare of those children.

Medical check: This is to ensure you are physically fit to look after children. This clearance can easily be obtained from your local doctor or health care provider. This is to also make sure all your immunisations are up to date.

Updated CPR, First Aid and Asthma qualifications: This ensures you have all the skills and knowledge required to provide first aid to children or infants in your care. Ensure you have completed a specialised first aid unit designed for childcare workers and educators.

A blue card: Appropriate clearance for working with children

Insurance: Public liability insurance that is current and up to date. This is available from Family Day Care Australia

You can visit the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority to learn more on how you can be an approved provider here. Find out how you can get involved in National Family Day Care Week here.

Interested in studying Early Childhood Education and Care and starting your own family day care? Request a brochure. Or if you prefer to speak to a Course Advisor, call us on 1300 236 364.