About Us

The role of the Association is determined by the objectives as outlined previously. These objectives may be summarised into five main areas:

• Research
• Information/Advice
• Advocacy
• Education/Training
• Consultation

Download Strategic Plan

Download Annual Report

NSW Family Day Care Association’s Annual Professional Development and Networking Forum 2013

2013 date announced soon!

NSW Family Day Care Association’s
Annual Professional Development & Networking Forum 2012
‘Celebrating our future together’
26, 27th & 28 September 2012
at the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel (Circular Quay)

Thanks to all who came to the conference and made it all possible.

Conference program 

The Annual Professional Development and Networking Forum, lovingly called ‘The Conference’, is a opportunity for our members to get together to learn and build relationships. Over 2 and a half days the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel was a place jam-packed with exciting workshops, entertainment, interesting exhibitors and networking opportunities.

Keynote speakers:
Jean Kittson
(comedian, tv personality, author and mother)
a fun filled keynote on the first day, guaranteed to make you laugh out loud

Andrew May
(author, positivity coach and resilience expert)
an inspiring keynote on learning how to be more resilient, deal with stress in a positive manner and improve life-work balance

For more information contact Mandy or Rosie.
mandyr@nswfdc.org.au
rosiep@nswfdc.org.au
1800 157 818 (press 2)

Examples of research carried out by the Association are in such areas as Funding, Accreditation, Employer Sponsored Family Day Care,Educator Status. As well as initiating research projects the Association has participated in research undertaken by other bodies such as the National Family Day Care Council Australia’s (N.F.D.C.C.A.). Lady Gowrie Child Centre, Macquarie University and Educators Association NSW. More recently it has undertaken its own research project which has resulted in the publication of a report entitled “Exploring Family Day Care in NSW” by Paul Bullen.

The Association has a valuable role in networking schemes on a regional level as well as the broader state level. This is achieved through regional meeting. the Annual General Meeting and Conference, and through Resource Office personnel. Information also needs to be made available to the general community. This is achieved through our Resource Office and Media Sub-committee. The “Family Day Care Companion” and the publicity package developed by Queensland Family Day Care Association with funding from the Department of Community Services, which includes radio and television commercials, has been extremely useful.

The Association is a member of, or has representatives attending, other organisations and committees which have similar goals and interests. These are:

• Australian Early Childhood Association NSW (A.E.C.A.)
• National Association Community Based Children’s Services (N.A.C.B.C.S.)
• NSW Children’s Service’s Forum
• National Family Day Care Council of Australia (N.F.D.C.C.A.)

Examples of other Services with which the Association has links are:

• Community Child Care
• Child Accident Prevention Foundation Australia (Kidsafe)
• Contact Inc.
• Lady Gowrie Child Centre
• TAFE
• Marrickville Council Target Sustainability
• Munch and Move – NSW Health

Other Associations directly involved in Family Day Care are:

• The Family Day Care Educators Association NSW Inc
• Family Day Care Australia
• The Family Day Care Sponsors (Non-Local Government) Association
• The Local Government and Shire’s Association

Our ongoing involvement with these organisations is vital to ensure that Family Day Care is considered when decisions are made and policies are formulated that affect the whole of the Children’s Services Program.

This is an area which over recent years has expanded rapidly. the Association has its own Registered Training Organisation attached – trading as PEAK Training (see link). This College offers Accredited Training to those in all areas of Childcare.

Our Annual Conference, which has been held for many years, is of a very high standard. Training programs are funded, or partly funded, by Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), and have become invaluable in the role of educating and training. These funded programs in recent years have included training for management committees, Coordinators, Child Development Officers, play-leaders, clerical/administrative staff and Educators. The success of our conferences and training programes is directly related to the skills and efforts of the people involved in their planning and implementation, and the willingness of staff, sponsors and educators to participate.

This is another vital linking role of the Association. It is important that the Association be available for and initiate, consultation with government departments policy development and all aspects of government activity which impact on our services. It is important that we also work together with other non-government organisations previously mentioned to ensure that Family Day Care be viewed as an integral part of Children’s Services. Finally, but certainly not least, the overall role of the Association is the promotion of the well being of children as we strive for excellence in our service delivery. This is achieved through all areas previously mentioned. Family Day Care, by the very nature of the service, has a wealth of extremely talented and skilled people working within schemes. It is up to us as individuals to be involved and encourage the involvement of others to participate for the benefit of our colleagues and ultimately the children of our future.

Our board members:

From the Board of Management the following office bearers are elected:

• PRESIDENT
• VICE PRESIDENT – CITY
• VICE PRESIDENT – COUNTRY
• TREASURER
• Office Bearers must be Regional Representatives with no more than one office being held by a region. Office bearers are elected at the A.G.M. by the general membership.
• SECRETARY

Other positions are:

• ORDINARY MEMBER
• PUBLIC OFFICER

It is not necessary to be a Regional Representative to hold these positions.

Any member of the Association may attend any State Meeting. They are usually held on the first Friday in February and the last Friday in March, May, July, September and November. Minutes of these meetings are distributed to all members.

Sub-committees are formed within the Association to work on particular issues or projects. The number of these sub-committees may vary according to current issues. It is not necessary to be part of the Board of Management to be the convenor or a member of any sub-committee.

Sub-committees currently operating within the Association are as follows:

• Insurance
• Regulations
• Quality Assurance
• Carer Issues
• Rural and Remote
• Recruitment and Retention