Greater Shepparton City Council stops family day care provision

The Greater Shepparton City Council will no longer be an approved provider for family day care (FDC) educators after the number of educators contracted by the Council to provide this service has significantly declined, despite several campaigns to attract new educators.

“This situation has reached a point that it is no longer viable to maintain the necessary support team and infrastructure in compliance with the National Education and Care Services Law and associated regulations,” a statement from the Council noted. 

The Council will work with educators to ensure they can transition over to alternative providers where possible, with all families and educators affected by the decision now having been notified. 

Exiting FDC provision has been “a difficult but necessary decision,” Council’s Director Community Louise Mitchell said.

“Any new recruitment has been more than offset by educators exiting the scheme,” she explained. 

“We will support educators and families to transition to new arrangements, and will prioritise continuity of education and care for children in this process.”

The three-month transition period will allow Council staff time to support families and educators to transition to new arrangements.