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How family day care works

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Family day care is a quality, home-based early education and care service that gives you the peace of mind and flexibility your family needs.

It’s run by qualified educators trained in early childhood education and care and operated by the South Australian Department for Education.

Each family day care service cares for a small group of children in the educator’s home. Educators can care for up to 7 children in total, with a no more than 4 children under school age. Our educators design learning to fit your child’s individual needs and provide a safe and nurturing place to play, learn and grow.

Having children in small groups allows the educator to bond with and get to know your child.

Watch the video to learn more about what family day care is like.

Every child deserves...

...quality, home-based day care...

...in a welcoming, family environment...

...with qualified, early learning educators...

...offering flexibility and connection.

Family Day Care

...the ideal choice for busy families...

...inspired children...

...and caring parents.

www.education.sa.gov.au/familydaycare

Cost

Educators offer hourly or session rates, making it an affordable education option.

Flexibility

Family day care is an early childhood education and care option made flexible. It can cover all hours, to meet the needs of you and your family.

We can help you:

  • before and after school
  • during work hours
  • during school holidays
  • overnight
  • on weekends.

School and preschool drop off and pick up

Many educators are able to drop off and pick up your child to and from school or preschool.

Strong connections and a familiar face

Your family day care educator doesn’t change, so you’ve got peace of mind knowing the same person will be educating and caring for your child throughout their time in family day care.

The strong connection and relationship formed between you, your child and your educator is one of the defining features of the family day care experience. You’ll see your educator at every drop off and pick up and your educator will work with you and your child to understand their needs and tailor education to suit.

All your children can learn together

If your child has brothers and sisters, they can be in the same family day care group.

Respite care

The respite care program is a specialised disability care service for children and young people. The program is a provider for the Australian Government’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) which provides funding for respite care for children and young people with a disability.

Respite care can be offered:

  • in the family home
  • at the home of a qualified and approved care provider
  • at school (working with the school or classroom)
  • in the community.

Care can take place during the day, evening, weekend, on a regular basis or in blocks of time.

For more information about the respite care program, contact 8416 7414 or email education.rcpadmin@sa.gov.au

Celebrating Family Day Care Week 2023

If you’re passionate about caring for children...

Educator: What's some of the fun things we do together?

Child: Play outside.

Child: Run around.

Child: We play together.

Child: My favourite part of day care is playing with my friends outside.

Child: Playing with the soccer ball and stuff.

Educator: When you come to my house what's your favourite thing to do?

Child: Jumping castle.

Child: Sometimes my sister and my friends like to play soccer with me.

Child: Knock knock.

Educator: Who's there?

Child: Love.

Educator: Love who?

Child: Love Nancy.

Child: Usually I play with a baby, his name is Lorenzo.

Child: I've drawn having a fire.

Child: I like playing hide and seek.

Child: I beat you at football though.

Educator: The thing that I enjoy most is seeing them blossom.

Educator: Oh my favourite part is just being with you because you're also great.

[Music]

End of transcript.