It’s officially National Family Day Care Week, one of the biggest events on the family day care calendar showcasing the incredible and valuable work of coordinators, educators and services across the country.
For all those hosting or attending a National Family Day Care Week event, remember to share photos of your adventures on social media using the hashtag #FDCWeek20210.
It’s been wonderful to witness the diverse ways our members are celebrating the Week so far!
Make sure to keep an eye out on the Family Day Care Australia (FDCA) Facebook page for other content, shares and trivia about the Week.
Check out our most recent post featuring FDCA CEO, Andrew Paterson, and the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP from our 2021 Picnic in the Park!
Ms Rishworth is the Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education and Development and was invited to attend today's event to share her thoughts on the importance of the Week and the family day care sector.
From all of us here at FDCA, we wish you a wonderful National Family Day Care Week.
As part of the 2019 National Quality Framework (NQF) Review process, a second phase of national consultation was put forward with the release of the Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (CRIS).
The proposals put forward in the CRIS could result in changes being made to the Education and Care Services National Law, the Education and Care Services National Regulations or guidance materials covering the application of the legislation.
The CRIS explores a total of 21 issues relating to:
Following a survey of our members, Family Day Care Australia (FDCA) has provided a submission to the 2019 Review of the NQF, which you can access here.
As we have emphasised in previous submissions to the Review, FDCA and our members remain supportive of well-considered and reasonable regulatory proposals and proportionate compliance mechanisms that are designed to support a high quality, vibrant and responsive family day care sector.
However, we maintain that it is equally important that regulatory measures do not constrain growth in the sector, so that family day care services are able to continue to meet the needs of families for whom high quality, flexible and affordable child care in a professional home learning environment is their preferred or only choice.
If you have any questions about FDCA’s submission, or want to know more about the proposals put forward in the CRIS, send us an email at enquiries@fdca.com.au
Providing our members with more ways to access professional development and networking events is important to us. That’s why we’ve launched a final 4-month payment plan for the FDCA 2021 National Conference.
The 4-month payment plan allows you to purchase your conference ticket at our early bird pricing, with 4 monthly payments of $156.00. This offer ends 31 May 2021.
Don’t delay your great escape. Click here to secure your payment plan today!
Extended refund policy for your peace of mind
To provide our members with a risk-free ticket purchasing experience, Family Day Care Australia (FDCA) will ensure that any members who are unable to attend the conference due to COVID related circumstances will receive a FULL refund on their ticket purchase up until three weeks out from the conference.
This means you can take advantage of our 4-month payment plan knowing that we’ve got you covered!
Preliminary conference program available to view!
Start planning your unique conference experience with the release of our 2021 National Conference preliminary program.
Conference attendees will have 24 workshops to choose from on a range of different topics, in addition to keynote addresses from experts in the early childhood education and care sector.
On the final night of the Conference, you’ll have the chance to let your hair down and get your boogie on at the Gala Dinner!
Click here to view the program.
The Federal Government has confirmed that it will make a series of changes to the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) system, designed to improve the affordability of early childhood education and care (ECEC).
These changes include:
FDCA supports additional investment measures into the ECEC sector to support families. However, further investment measures are needed to ensure equitable funding for the family day care sector and support the ongoing viability of family day care.
As outlined in our Pre-Budget Submission to the Federal Government, and as presented to the Hon Alan Tudge MP in our recent meeting with him, FDCA continues to call for a raise in the hourly CCS cap rate for family day care to bring it in line with centre-based care and an additional loading of 20% to the recalculated CCS cap for non-standard hours of care.
Should you have any questions about the recent CCS announcement, please get in touch via Enquiries@fdca.com.au or give us a call on 1800 658 699.
In December 2019, Education Ministers endorsed the development of a new national workforce strategy as a joint partnership between all governments, the children’s education and care sector, and other key stakeholders.
The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), on behalf of all governments, is coordinating the development of the new strategy, including stakeholder and public consultation.
ACECQA has undertaken extensive consultations with national sector stakeholders and government representatives. These two groups have informed the potential actions and initiatives included in the consultation paper, published at the start of May 2021. FDCA has represented the family day care sector through the preliminary consultation phases as a member of the Workforce Co-design Stakeholder Reference Group since September 2020.
Throughout May 2021, you are invited to provide feedback through the online survey which you can access here.
ACECQA will analyse all feedback and use it to inform the development of the ten year workforce strategy (2021–30), which is scheduled to be considered by national sector stakeholders, government representatives and Education Ministers in the second half of this year.
FDCA’s Family Day Care Legal Services provides you with access to a team of trusted legal professionals to have your back when you need it most.
FDCA have teamed up with Clyde & Co, a multi-award winning law firm and specialists in the family day care field, to provide our members with legal advice and resources tailored to their business.
For as little as $3.15 a week, you can access expert assistance to tackle a range of issues, helping you save precious time and money.
Even more good news - if you sign up in May or April, you’ll go into the draw to win 1 of 15 FREE tickets to the FDCA 2021 National Conference!
Click here to begin your legal services subscription today
One of our educators was able to begin the process of recovering over $4000 of debt through her Family Day Care Legal Services subscription - giving her peace of mind and greater financial security.
FDCA’s Family Day Care Legal Services is just one of the ways that we are supporting you, our members, to feel confident that your business is covered by a team of experienced legal professionals.