ABOUT US
The NSW Family Day Care Association aims to promote and support all aspects of Family Day Care (FDC).
Establishment in 1976, the Association works to provide support, resourcing and advocacy for all of its members, and to increase the status of Family Day Care and In Home Care within the community.
The overall role of the Association is the promotion of children’s wellbeing. This is achieved through excellence in our service delivery, and the wealth of extremely talented and skilled people working within the Family Day Care sector.
We encourage broader community participation in the sector. This provides more children the opportunity to receive education and care in a home-based setting that supports their comfort, security and individualised learning experiences. Importantly, it also creates greater employment opportunities for educators and service providers.
OUR OBJECTIVES
Promote Wellbeing
To promote the wellbeing of children and to encourage discussion and exchange of ideas relating to children and their needs
Coordinate Solutions
To act on problems and coordinate solutions specific to Family Day Care in NSW
Research & Education
To act as a peak body, providing research, education, public information and submissions about Family Day Care
Government & Private
To liaise with government and non-government organisations
Central Information
To disseminate information relating to Family Day Care
Advisory
To act as an advisory body, promoting and protecting the sector
Inform & Support
To inform and support those involved in Family Day Care
OUR ROLE
The Association meets our objectives by undertaking the following functions:
Information
The Association regularly updates its members about important legislative changes and other information that impacts Family Day Care services and educators through communiques and newsletters.
Advocacy
The Association is a member of, or is aligned with other organisations in the education and care sector which have similar goals and interests. We also hold many positions on both State and Federal Government advisory bodies which enables us to advocate for the needs of our members as well as Family Day Care more broadly.
Education
The Association provides free professional development sessions for educators through the PD in your Pocket program.
The Association also operates its own registered training organisation – PEAK Training – which offers nationally recognised courses including Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, and Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care as well as specific modules from these courses.
PEAK Training also offers a range of professional development, webinars, short courses and mentoring services.
Consultation
The Association consults with our members about proposed changes to Family Day Care legislation and government policy that will impact the sector.
Collaboration with other non-government organisations is imperative to ensuring that FDC is viewed as integral of the Early Childhood Education and Care sector.
Research
The Association initiates and participates in research projects to help improve education and care policy and practice.
We both commission and participate in research across areas including funding, the National Quality Framework, and educator status.