North Sydney’s Family Day Care scheme celebrates 50th anniversary in 2024

The North Sydney Family Day Care scheme has celebrated a significant milestone in 2024, marking a half century of care and education in educator’s homes. 

“Family Day Care has become a trusted and beloved part of the North Sydney community, nurturing generations of children over the past half-century,” North Sydney Mayor Zoë Baker said.

“Even through challenging times such as funding cuts, the COVID pandemic and childcare staff shortages, it has flourished into one of the most successful and reputable Family Day Care schemes in Sydney,” she continued. 

The scheme has its roots in 1974, when North Sydney was selected as one of three pilot sites for Family Day Care in Australia, alongside Ashfield and Waverley, after a survey highlighted a pressing need for care options within the community.

With support from the Federal Government, North Sydney Council launched the pioneering program, led by Alderman Carole Baker. 

A passionate advocate for children and families, Ms Baker expressed confidence in the scheme, correctly predicting it would resonate across Sydney and beyond.

On launching, the Family Day Care scheme office quickly outgrew its initial home – a single room at the McMahons Point Baby Health Centre – and in July 1974 the Council purchased a historic cottage at 96 Bank Street to house operations, which has been the heart of Family Day Care in North Sydney ever since.

“The cottage at 96 Bank Street has seen it all – 50 years of children’s laughter, educators sharing ideas and support, and high-quality care on this site,” Mayor Baker added.

By October 1974, just six months after launching, the scheme had 25 ‘baby minders’ (as they were then called) responsible for two or three children each, earning $20 per week per child. 

Diana Dasey was the first educator ‘on the books’ and described her work as “a labour of love”. 

Fast forward to 2024, the scheme now has 16 educators supporting over 110 children and families, and continuing to offer affordable, high-quality care in a homely environment, with staff and educators who are equally as passionate and caring as the staff back in the 1970s were.

Learn more about North Sydney Family Day care here. 

The Sector extends its congratulations to the scheme on this significant milestone.