The family day care coordination unit supports educators to ensure they are resourced, trained and up-to-date with current child care practices. For many people, being an educator means being able to combine earning an income while still being at home with their own children.
The Prospective Carer Information Package details the requirements for becoming a educator with the Scheme. You can download a copy at the bottom of this page. Feel free to contact the Coordination Unit on 9433 3158 or 9433 3146 if you have any questions about the process.
To apply, you must:
- Be over 18 years of age
- Own your own home or have permission from your landlord
- Discuss being an educator with your family
- Complete an application form.
When the Field Officer receives your completed application form, selection for an interview is based on:
- Suitability to provide quality care for children aged 0-12 years
- Evidence of relevant skills, qualifications and experience
- Evidence of willingness to undertake professional development to further knowledge of current child care theories and practice.
Applicants selected for an interview will be telephoned and invited to attend the Shire Offices. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing.
Interview
Interviews will be conducted by
two staff members from the Family & Children's Services
Unit. Interviews will include written, verbal and visual
assessment, including scenarios. If you have a successful
interview and referee check you will be invited to proceed to the
next stage (which must be successfully completed prior to the
signing of the Family Day Care Licence Agreement). If you
have an unsuccessful interview or referee check you will be
notified in writing.
After a successful interview, you will be:
- Notified by telephone
- Requested to have a home safety check performed by a member of the Coordination Unit.
Home Safety Check
The home safety check
will be conducted according to the home safety checklist (a copy
can be downloaded from the link at the bottom of this page). Where
there are safety issues that require attention, a timeline will be
established, in consultation with the you, for their repair. A
follow up visit will be scheduled to ensure compliance with the
Scheme requirements. If you have a successful home safety
check you will be invited to proceed to the next stage (which must
be successfully completed prior to the signing of the Family
Day Care Licence Agreement). If you have an unsuccessful
home safety check you will be notified in writing.
Note: If an educator moves residence, a new Family Day Care Licence Agreement must be signed (subject to a successful home safety check) before care can begin.
Orientation
If you are successful to this
stage you will be expected to attend one or more play sessions to
enable you to meet educators and children in the Nillumbik Family
Day Care Scheme.
The Coordination Unit will arrange a time for you to visit an experienced educator, who will act as a mentor, and you will spend up to four hours at the Family Day Care home. The mentor educator will notify the parents of the children in care of the day and time of the visit. They will also explain the reason for the visit.
You will observe and experience the operation and procedures of Family Day Care sessions, including:
- Families arriving and/or departing
- Signing of attendance records and other forms
- Organisation and preparation of house (indoors and outdoors) and activities
- Planning / program for the day
- Activities provided for the day
- Interactions with families and children
- Behaviour guidance strategies used
- Snacks / meal times
- Nappy changing and hygiene procedures
- Sleep / rest time procedures.
The Coordination Unit will conduct an orientation session with all your household members. This session will cover:
- Roles and responsibilities and the impact of providing care in the home
- Policies and procedures
- Child protection
- Quality Assurance.
If you have a successful orientation you will be invited to proceed to the next stage (which must be successfully completed prior to the signing of the Family Day Care Licence Agreement). If you have an unsuccessful orientation you will be notified in writing.
Requirements
To be licenced with Nillumbik Family Day Care you must be
successful in the above procedures and also have:
- A current workplace level two first aid certificate
- A successful police check (for anyone 17 years and over who resides in the household)
- A current Working with Children Check
- Appropriate public liability insurance.
Induction
If you are successful to this stage, an induction program must be
undertaken. This will involve:
- Policies and procedures provided and explained
- Relevant forms provided and explained
- Independent fee setting explained
- Administration/payment process explained
- Quality Assurance/Accreditation explained
- Child protection information provided
- Occupational health and safety information provided.
You will be required to read the document Family Day Care Policies and Procedures Manual and examine the Nillumbik Shire Council Family Day Care Licence Agreement prior to signing. The Agreement will be signed by a Manager of Nillumbik Shire Council.
Applications can be made by submitting a Carer Application Form to the Coordination Unit. This can be downloaded from the link below or by contacting the Coordination Unit on 9433 3158 or 9433 3146.