National Family Day Care Week is on the way from 1 May

From 1-7 May, the 11th National Family Day Care Week will see thousands of educators, service staff, families and children taking part in celebrations across Australia to highlight the important role family day care educators and services play in the development and wellbeing of over 85,000 Australian children.

Organised by Family Day Care Australia (FDCA) The week provides an opportunity to acknowledge family day care (FDC) as an essential part of the early learning landscape across the country.

National FDC Week is a chance to celebrate the unique benefits of the small-group settings, personalised educational programming and flexible hours of care that make FDC “the option of choice for so many Australian families”.

Educators and services will be holding picnics across Australia with themes from the Teddy Bear’s Picnic, Superhero Spectacular, and Nature Play Picnics.

“National FDC Week is a wonderful time for the FDC sector to come together  and reflect on the crucial role family day care plays in the lives of Australian children, families and communities,” said FDCA Chief Executive Officer Andrew Paterson.

For many families, small-group settings, home environments and the bond created between educators and children are a deciding factor in selecting FDC as an early learning option.

“The home environment and one-on-one attention that FDC provides means children receive the attention they need to thrive, and educators have the space to follow their passion and educate their way,” Mr Paterson added.

“FDC also offers much needed flexibility to support shift workers, regional communities and families in need of care outside of the usual 9 to 5. FDC educators and services are an essential part of the education and care landscape, offering a unique approach to early learning that cannot always be replicated in larger settings.”

To find out more about National FDC Week, please see here.