A golden milestone for Fairfield City Family Day Care

Fairfield City Family Day Care is celebrating 50 years of service in 2025 marking half a century of home-based education and care that has shaped the lives of children, families, and educators across western Sydney.

As one of the longest-running schemes in New South Wales, the program has become a cornerstone of community-based early learning, demonstrating the enduring value of family day care in offering flexible, culturally responsive, and relationship-driven care.

Generations of children have grown, learned, and thrived through the Fairfield City Family Day Care scheme which celebrates an incredible 50 years of providing meaningful home-based education and care in September this year.  

Since its launch in 1975, the scheme has supported hundreds of local families, offering a nurturing, flexible, and community-based early learning and care service that continues to thrive across the region. Today, the service remains a trusted choice for parents and carers seeking personalised care for their children in a safe, supportive, and familiar home setting.

“Fairfield City Family Day Care is not just a service, it’s a legacy,” Fairfield City Mayor Frank Carbone said. 

“For 50 years our educators have supported families across our City by welcoming children into their homes and hearts; providing a safe and inspiring start to life.”

The Fairfield City Family Day Care journey began as a pilot program, offering a unique service where children could receive one-on-one attention in a home-like environment. Starting with just a handful of educators or ‘day care mums’ as they were known back then, the program has grown into a thriving network that supports hundreds of families each year. 

“The wonderful thing about Fairfield City Family Day Care is that it serves as a child’s home away from home,” said Sherean Michael, Manager of Fairfield City Best Start Education & Care. 

“It provides a safe and enriching environment where children can grow and learn, and allows educators to form strong and trusting bonds with the children and families,” she said. 

“One of our educators has been part of the scheme for 33 years! That’s the beauty of Family Day Care, it grows with you. It’s personal, it’s powerful, and it truly makes a difference.”

The strength of the scheme lies in its individualised care in small group settings; culturally responsive education that reflects Fairfield City’s diversity; and strong bonds between educators, children, and families. The small group setting also supports children with specific and individual care needs, while continuing to implement an educational program.

“Some educators go the extra mile by preparing culturally and nutritionally balanced meals just like aunty or grandma would, while others offer the flexibility of after-hours and weekend care to accommodate varying schedules and shift working parents, how inspiring is that?” Sherean continued. 

“Not to mention many children who once played and learned within these warm, home-based settings continue to visit years later as adults themselves, enjoying a meal and catch up with their former educators.

“This speaks to the meaningful connections forged at Fairfield City Family Day Care, and the amazing educators who deserve to be celebrated on this special golden anniversary.”

To mark the 50-year milestone, Fairfield City Council is hosting a celebration for current educators and families to share their stories.

The educators are professionals that come from diverse backgrounds incorporating varied but familiar cultural perspectives into their practice that help children develop respect for differences and an appreciation for the cultural diversity within Fairfield City. Educators wear many hats, caregivers, teachers, mentors, and friends all while navigating the ever-changing landscape of Family Day Care policies and regulations. 

Importantly, they are also business owners working solo to provide a personalised and flexible service. This model has empowered parents, particularly women, to create a rewarding business that provides affordable and flexible care options for families.

As the sector reflects on 50 years of Fairfield City Family Day Care, the milestone highlights the critical role of family day care in Australia’s broader early childhood education and care landscape.

With its unique capacity to provide individualised, culturally responsive education in a home setting, family day care continues to play an important part in ensuring children and families have access to flexible, high-quality early learning.

Fairfield City’s golden anniversary is not just a celebration of the past, but also a reminder of the value of supporting diverse service models that strengthen family choice, community connection, and positive outcomes for children.