Setting up a Family Daycare

[flossybeth5]

I am into my second year of studying for my Diploma with the intention to set up a Family Daycare Setting (I'm actually about to do the two extra modules need to complete my Cert 3 so I can get on with registering while I finish off my Diploma). I was a childminder in the UK for 4 years before we emigrated and I know that I am happier working with small groups of children and setting my own pace.

My question for today is - when buying equipment for my FDC such as pushchairs/highchairs/cots etc is it better to have brand new or are good quality second-hand OK? Obviously mattresses and bedding would be new.

[Lorina]

With prams, cots and high chairs I think you need to make sure that they are of the Australian/NZ safety standard. There should be a label on these that mentions the standard if it doesn't have this then you shouldn't really purchase it. With toys, tables, chairs, mats etc. these can be bought second hand but they need to be thoroughly disinfectant and cleaned.

Hope this helps,

,
Lorina

[linsaa fdc]

Also some schemes do not allow a second hand car seat....and make sure you check the use by date.....yes car seats have a use by date on them now.
As long as other equipment are Australian standards they are ok to purchase second hand. In saying that though you can buy brand new and really cheap from kmart these days, they don't have to be fancy just functional.

Linsaa fdc

[linsaa fdc]

oops, forgot to mention high chairs and prams must have a five point harness/belt.

[flossybeth5]

Blimey, a whole month went past. I wanted to thank you for your replies; I seem to be treading water Diploma assessment-wise at the moment and getting nowhere fast, so it's a bit of a slow go - I was hoping to be ready to start by June...

[Lorina]

It's OK! You can still look for equipment and materials in the mean time...

,
Lorina

[linsaa fdc]

You do know that you can start doing FDC while you are doing your diploma, at least you can get the scheme paperwork, safety checks etc started while you are studying because that all takes quite a while.
Don't go buying tones of equipment and toys all at once, buy the very basics and see what children you get in care first and buy what you need as you need it, you might buy a whole lot of stuff on start up that you might not need for a long time depending on the ages and needs of the children you get in care.

Linsaa fdc

[tinytots]

How hard is it to find children for your fdc? I was thinking about doing it too, but we have so many in our area who have started fdc at the moment, I was thinking i might have to stay in Ldc instead

[linsaa fdc]

Hi Tinytots,

It is not hard at all to find children. Firstly your scheme will give you lots of referrals and there is a website which is free to register and I get lots of enquiries from there even though I have a 12month waitlist. It doesn't matter how many are in your area, we are all very different and offer a very different service, price and setup. If you are professional, approachable warm and friendly, your setup is clean and appealing, fees are competitive you will find children. As with any new business though it can take a little while to fill up but this is a good thing because being in FDC you have all the work to do whereas in a centre you don't have to do interviews, fees and timesheets as well. But I wouldn't work anywhere else. The good thing with FDC is if a family isn't working you can give them notice to leave. It might sound harsh but when it is in your home and you work on your own it all has to work together. What doesn't work for you in your setup might work wonderfully with another educator with her setup.
Find a few FDC Educators in your area on careforkids.com.au give them a call and see if you could pop in and see what is involved, most of us don't mind
All the best
Linsaa fdc

[tinytots]

Wow thank you so much Linsaa, I really appreciate your reply. I will now start working on visiting other fdc educators. Did you work out a business plan beforehand?

[linsaa fdc]

No business plan. We have been self employed for 30 years and I have been an FDC Educator for 19 years well before business plans were in.
You can write a plan and set yourself small achievable goals, there is a lot involved with FDC but take each little thing one at a time and don't let it overwhelm you.
Check out if there are any FDC schemes near you and give them a call too. Just remember there are bad apples wherever you go in whatever field you work in so don't let anyone turn you off, just let them make you better at what you want to do and the service you want to offer.
Feel free to ask me anything, I'm happy to help.
Bye
Linsaa fdc

[tinytots]

Thank you heaps for your advice Linsaa I have booked in for a FDC scheme to chat with me about it all. Will let you know how it all goes xx

[tinytots]

Thank you heaps for your advice Linsaa I have booked in for a FDC scheme to chat with me about it all. Will let you know how it all goes xx

[clbell1]

Hi there, I'm new to this site. I too am thinking very seriously about a career change and starting a FDC. I have found reading your comments really helpful in answering some of the questions I have so thank you. I have lots of questions and wondered if anyone could answer the following?
- If your own child is unwell, how do you manage this with the children in your care?
- Holidays/leave- do you advise parents in a given timeframe if you are planning taking holidays? (I'm assuming being self employed this is unpaid)
- Do parents pay you directly or do they pay your scheme who then passes on your payment after deducting there admin costs?
- approximate insurance costs?
Any advice would be much appreciated!

[linsaa fdc]

Hi Clbell1,

Your child counts in your numbers unless they are in high school. If your child is just slightly unwell and just needs a restful day you are fine. If they have a bad flu or vomiting and the runs... anything contagious.... then you have to take the day off work to look after her so no one else catches anything. Some new educators worry about this but if you worked anywhere else you would have to take the day off as well, if you have family who could be your backup (like if you worked out of the home) for sick days and your child goes to them you don't have to take the day off and lose income.... as long as they stay there for the whole work day.

I always let my parents know as soon as I know when I am taking holidays then remind them again a month beforehand because a lot forget and it gives them plenty of time to organise their holidays or alternate care with another educator in the scheme or with family or friends......yes that is unpaid because you are self employed.

Fees are made up of 3 components....CCB +CCR +parent gap fee. The parents give you their part, the gap fee.....[some schemes collect it off the parents most don't] then the rest is made up from CCB +CCR and the office sorts that out when you submit your timesheets fortnightly or weekly and takes out their levies and deposits the balance into your account usually fortnightly some schemes do it weekly.

Public Liability this year with FDCCA was around $450..... you can pay it all at once but they do offer a 10 monthly payment option.

Feel free to ask anything else
Linsaa fdc

[Rencia]

Do you need to register with VIT to open FDC or is a Diploma enough?

[Lorina]

Do you need to register with VIT to open FDC or is a Diploma enough?

As far as I'm aware a Cert 3 qualification is enough to get started...

,
Lorina

[flossybeth5]

I've been advised that I should register with DECD to be officially recognised however in my internet searches I've come across an organisation called Family Daycare Australia; could anyone please tell me if FDCA are an organisation who are also 'official' or are they more of a support group?

Thanks

[linsaa fdc]

Dear ladies,
You need to be enrolled in your cert 111 to start FDC. You will work under the umbrella of an FDC scheme and they are registered with all the necessary bodies.
FDCA is who we all have our public liability insurance with.
Regards
Linsaa fdc

[clbell1]

Thank you for your response! I may have some more questions in the future and I really appreciate your help!