Community Child Care Fund will make Orange FDC more sustainable

The New South Wales regional town of Orange will use $135,000 in support, via the Federal Government’s Community Child Care Fund, to tackle a major shortage of family day care (FDC) places and provide employment for new daycare providers.

The Orange Family Day Care Scheme, coordinated by Orange City Council, currently has 15 local educators. However, due to a shortage of educators, there are currently around 160 children on a waiting list for a place in FDC.

To be split over two years, the funding will deliver a strategy of face-to-face approaches to recruit potential new educators through local community groups, with Orange Mayor Reg Kidd saying the Council is delighted to be able to work in partnership with the Commonwealth to improve the sustainability of the Orange Family Day Care Scheme.

“FDC is so popular in Orange, there are currently 160 children on a waiting list, seeking a place. There are currently 15 FDC educators, but there’s enough demand to double that number. The real issue is recruitment and this funding is going to let that happen,” the Mayor said.  

“There are many families with young children in Orange and becoming a FDC educator can offer a parent the opportunity to deliver a valuable service while working from home and making a good income. I’m optimistic this funding will make all the difference.”

“For more than 30 years, the Orange Family Day Care Scheme has provided a wonderful alternative to a traditional childcare centre, offering day-care that feels just like home,” added Member for Calare Andrew Gee.

“Educators help kids get off to the best possible start in life by opening the doors to their own family homes, and providing children with the opportunity to learn and grow in a small, family-like group. To back hard-working families in our country communities, access to quality childcare is essential – that’s why I’m proud the Australian Government is supporting an educator recruitment drive by Orange Family Day Care with a $135,000 grant.”

To learn more about the work undertaken by the Orange Family Day Care Scheme, please see here. 

Lead image features (l. to r.) educator Bobbie Brown, Family Day Care Manager Megan Dawson, Member for Calare Andrew Gee and Mayor Cr Reg Kidd, with children: Carter Buesnell, Ivy Knight and Sophia Knight.