Sunbury seeks to grow FDC numbers as demand in community rises

Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health is seeking support from early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals in the Sunbury and Macedon Ranges area of Victoria to support the availability of family day care (FDC) options in the region.

 

The organisation offers FDC through the banner Our Village Family Childcare, with educator shortages leading to large wait times for families in the community. 

 

Speaking with local news source Star Weekly manager Amanda Urban said families are currently waiting between six months and three years for a place to become available, in part because of how highly valued the small group settings and tailored care offered in FDC is to parents in the community. 

 

“The parents want the one-on-one care and the bond that they can build with the educator,” Ms Urban said.

 

As well as supporting parents, boosting the number of FDC operators in the area would improve the pressure felt by other ECEC providers in the Macedon Ranges, she continued.

 

“Family day care would close the gap on the need for childcare centres in the Macedon Ranges … in regards to families needing that flexibility – educators can look after siblings together as we offer up to 12 years old,” she said.

 

“[It also] closes the gap in regards to shift workers, so parents who work nights, weekends – our educators can look after the children out of hours as well out of normal business hours.”

 

Ms Urban is keen to speak with those in the area who may be interested in offering FDC, but who have concerns about the suitability of their home for offering FDC, financial concerns, or an aversion to running their own business.

 

“Some educators feel that their home isn’t suitable and they don’t realise that they don’t have to register their whole home … we are under the same regulations as long day care services,” she said.

 

“I think they’re worried that their rate of pay won’t be as good … but they can set their own rate.”

 

Ms Urban outlined that Our Village Family Childcare assists educators with administration, such as managing waitlists and enrolment paperwork and collecting fees, and encouraged those with questions to explore the range of information available, or to contact Our Village Family Childcare to learn more.

 

Read the original coverage of this story here.