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FDCA would like to thank educators and services for the amazing work they do in shaping the lives of children and the critical role they play in the lives of Australian children, families and communities every day.
This week, we celebrate the unique benefits that family day care's natural home environment, small group setting, personalised educational programming and flexible hours of care that make it the option of choice for many Australian families.
During the week we’re asking all of our members to share your photos on social media using the official hashtag, #fdcweek25. This helps raise the profile of family day care and highlights the unique benefits of the small group settings, personalised educational programming and flexible hours of care that family day care provides.
For programming ideas during National Family Day Care Week visit the FDCA website here. A range of resources are also available to download from the FDCA website, by clicking here.
If you’re a Canva user, there’s still time to download new customisable National Family Day Care Week templates that you can use on social media. To access these templates, click on the links below:
By using the Canva templates and official hashtag, #fdcweek25, on social media you’ll help us raise the profile of family day care.
Public consultation is now open on proposed changes to further strengthen child safety in education and care services regulated under the National Quality Framework (NQF).
This is an important opportunity to provide feedback on proposed policy options that aim to make education and care services, including family day care, even safer for children. The consultation covers both regulatory and non-regulatory policy options and is open until 11 June 2025.
The proposed changes are grouped under six key themes:
Why are these changes being proposed?
The changes being proposed address recommendations from the 2023 Review of Child Safety Arrangements under the National Quality Framework, led by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).
Deloitte Access Economics has been engaged to manage the National Child Safety Review consultation process on behalf of all governments.
How to provide feedback
All members of the family day care community are encouraged to participate in the consultation, including approved providers, service leaders, coordinators, service staff, educators, families and volunteers. Help spread the word about the Child Safety Review Public Consultation by sharing this poster with your networks.
There are several ways in which you can provide feedback on the proposed policy options. Visit the Child Safety Review Public Consultation website to find out more and to participate:
Family Day Care Australia will also be making a written submission on behalf of members in due course.
For any questions or assistance about having your say, contact the Deloitte Access Economics team at ChildSafetyReviewRIA@deloitte.com.au.
Working with Children Checks (WWCC) are a vital safeguard designed to protect children and contribute to ensuring child-safe environments across our sector. All approved providers have obligations related to WWCCs under both state/territory law and Family Assistance Law (FAL).
Importantly, services can face significant infringement notices for failing to notify WWCC information in the Child Care Subsidy System (CCSS).
What are Your Obligations?
Under Sections 43 and 55 of the Child Care Subsidy Ministers Rules 2017, approved providers must:
How to notify the Secretary (i.e. the Department of Education)
Persons with management or control can contact their software provider for assistance, or alternatively, use the Provider Entry Point (PEP) to make notifications.
FDCA strongly recommends that all services:
While the legal obligations rests with the approved provider, educators have a key role in helping services remain compliant.
It is important for educators to inform their service as soon as possible if there is any change in personal details or change in circumstance that may affect your WWCC status.
Lastly, each state or territory government has its own WWCC obligations and processes, so please check with your local authority for specific details. You can find a list of approved state and territory screening units on the Australian Criminal Intelligence Service website.
The Commonwealth Department of Education offers a range of courses on its Geccko online learning platform, tailored for the early childhood education and care sector. Among these is the Understanding Enrolments course.
This course supports providers and educators in understanding the enrolment process and their responsibilities within this process under Family Assistance Law.
It covers:
All Geccko courses are self-paced and are accessible via tablet, computer/laptop or mobile phone. On completion of this course, you can download a certificate for your professional development records
To access this course or to find out more about other free online courses provided by Geccko, you can register here.
If you missed last week’s Family Day Care Pre-Election Forum, a recording is now available to view on the FDCA website.
FDCA is excited to announce that the 2025 Excellence in Family Day Care Awards nominations open next week!
The awards, now in their fourteenth year, celebrate outstanding Family Day Care Educators, Coordinators and Services.
Stay tuned for more information to come next week.
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