About Us

The NSW Family Day Care Association Inc. has the central aim of promoting and supporting all aspects of Family Day Care in the community.

Since the time it was created in 1976, the Association has worked to maintain an outstanding level of support for all of its members, and to create healthy, safe and vibrant environments for individual educators and the children in their care.

The overall role of the Association is the promotion of children’s wellbeing, and 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 also encourage the involvement of others in the community to participate in the sector, both for the benefit of our colleagues and the children of will a strong part of our community in the future.

These aims are achieved through the following objectives:

To promote the wellbeing of children and to encourage discussion and exchange of ideas relating to children and their needs
To inform and support those involved in Family Day Care
To act on problems and coordinate solutions specific to Family Day Care in NSW
To act as a body on research, education, publicity and submissions relating to Family Day Care
To disseminate information relating to Family Day Care
To act as an advisory body
To liaise with government and non-government organisations.

The Role of the Association

We believe the role of the Association should carry out these tasks:

Research

Initiating and participating in research projects means we can improve childcare frameworks for all educators, as well as helping shape governments policies and initiatives, and shaping the future of childcare across Australia. We carry out or participate in research across many areas, including: funding, accreditation and educator status. Some of the research has been undertaken in conjunction with other bodies such as the Commonwealth Government, Family Day Care Association Queensland, University of NSW, Macquarie University and Educators Association NSW.

Information

All information regarding government childcare guidelines, legislation and initiatives is gathered and delivered through our Resource Office and Media sub-committee. The Association regularly updates its members about important legislative changes and other information through e-newsletters and our quarterly magazines Connections and Educator Connections. This is an important task for our Association.

Advocacy

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

Early Childhood Australia (ECA)
National Association Community-Based Children’s Services
Children’s Services Central
National Family Day Care Council of Australia

Other services the Association has links with are:

Community Early Learning Australia
Network of Community Activities
Kidsafe NSW
Contact Inc.
Ethnic Community Services Cooperative
Semann & Slattery
Lady Gowrie Child Centre
TAFE
Marrickville Council: Target Sustainability
Munch and Move
Family Day Care Educators Association NSW Inc.
Family Day Care Australia
Local government and shire associations.

Submission to the Child Care SEPP April 2017 (PDF)
Submission to the National Quality Framework Inquiry (PDF)
Response to Productivity commission inquiry (PDF)
Submission regarding National Quality Framework Review (PDF)
Regulatory impact statement – child care assistance package (PDF)

Education

This is an area which has expanded rapidly in recent years. The Association has its own registered training organisation attached – trading as ‘PEAK Training’. This college offers accredited training to those at all levels of childcare.

Our annual conference sets very high standards and is entering its 40th year. The conference training is available to management committees, coordinators, child development officers, play leaders, educators and clerical/administration staff.

The success of our conferences and training programs means the entire sector benefits and is constantly increasing professional standards.

Consultation

It is important for the Association to consult with government departments when they are developing policies and all government activity which impact our services. It is imperative we work together with other non-government organisations to ensure that Family Day Care be viewed as an integral part of early childhood education and care Services.