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Online Engagement Series

High quality professional learning content available anywhere at anytime!

As the national peak body for family day care, we understand the difficulty many of our members face in being able to access high quality professional learning content.

To address this, we've established, the FDCA Online Engagement Series, which will allow FDCA members to easily access online panel sessions that will provide educators and service staff with high quality professional learning content that will discuss a wide range of subject matter relevant to the family day care sector.

The Online Engagement Series is FREE to view live on several platforms such as the FDCA website, Facebook and YouTube. Content will also be driven by FDCA members who will be able to submit questions prior to each session as well as ask questions in real time during the live panels.

Best of all, every session will be recorded and made accessible to 24/7 to all members via the FDCA Member Zone, meaning that no matter where you are located, or how busy your schedule is, the sessions will always be accessible for you to digest at a time that is convenient to you!

Feature as a guest

Would you like to feature as a guest on an episode of the FDCA Online Engagement Series?

We’re calling for expressions of interest from FDCA members and external stakeholders that would be interested in participating as panellists and sharing their knowledge on specific subject matter.

If you have a passion or expertise in particular areas, we’re inviting you to express your interest in participating. To express your interest, all you need to do is click here and complete the simple online form.

Once you have completed the form, FDCA will keep your details on file and if an opportunity arises, we will contact you about the possibility of participating in an episode of the FDCA Engagement Series.


Upcoming Episodes

Episode #10: Play-based Learning
Date/Time: Thursday, 23 May 2024, 6.00pm - 7.30pm AEST
Guests: Beryl Mort, Ali Fleming
Streaming Links: FDCA Website, Facebook, YouTube

Play-based Learning

Episode ten of the FDCA Online Engagement Series will explore the topic of play-based learning and discuss a wide range of tips and strategies that can be implemented to assist in children's development. Join our special guests Beryl Mort and Ali Fleming for what promises to be an engaging session.

Episode Library

Episode #1: Supporting Children's Behaviours
Date: Thursday, 9 February 2023
Guests: Maggie Dent and Sylvia Arotin
View Recording: FDCA Member Zone

Episode #1: Supporting Children's Behaviours

Maggie Dent and Sylvia Arotin unpack and discuss strategies and mechanisms that can be used to support children’s behaviour in in the family day care setting. Topics discussed include separation anxiety, impulse control, life changes and how different approaches can be required to suit the individual needs of a child.

This session is ideal for educators and service staff.

Episode #2: Exploring Quality Area 1
Date: Thursday, 16 March 2023
Guests: Perry Campbell and Lyndall Cotterill
View Recording: FDCA Member Zone

Episode #2: Exploring Quality Area 1

Our host, FDCA Advocacy and Engagement Manager, Michael Farrell, ACECQA, Senior Manager, Priority Support, National Projects, Perry Campbell and FDCA Sector Liaison Coordinator and 2021 National Coordinator of the Year, Lyndall Cotterill in exploring Quality Area 1.

Michael, Perry and Lyndall will discuss the Approved Learning Frameworks, the Assessment and Planning Cycle, Critical Reflection, the role of the Educational Leader and dive into strategies and ideas for conquering Quality Area 1.

Episode #3: Wellbeing in Family Day Care
Date: Thursday, 27 April 2023
Guests: Maria Heenan, Mariam Shahid, Sue Higgs
View Recording: FDCA Member Zone

Wellbeing in Family Day Care

This episode will cover topics such as improving work/life balance, children’s wellbeing, separating home and work life and when and where to seek help for your wellbeing.

Episode #4: Tips, Hints and Hacks for Educators
Date: Thursday, 25 May 2023
Guests: Lyndall Cotterill, Hannah Smith and Martha Smith
View Recording: FDCA Member Zone

Tips, Hints and Hacks for Educators

Join our guests, FDCA Sector Liaison Coordinator and 2021 National Coordinator of the Year, Lyndall Cotterill, 2022 National Educator of the Year, Hannah Smith and 2018 Educator of the Year National Finalist and multiple regional award winner Martha Smith who discuss a range of tips, hints and hacks for family day care educators.

Episode #5: Governance and Leadership
Date: Thursday, 29 June 2023
Guests: Annette Steley and Jo Georgiou
View Recording: FDCA Member Zone

Governance and Leadership

In this special FDCA Online Engagement Series episode for family day care services, FDCA Advocacy and Engagement Manager, Michael Farrell will be joined by Annette Steley, Service Manager from Choices Family Day Care (QLD) and Jo Georgiou, Regional Manager from Nature Alliance Family Day Care (WA).

Michael, Annette and Jo will discuss a range of topics including:

  • Establishing a vision for your service
  • Effective leadership and positive workplace culture
  • Decision making
  • Management systems

This is a must-watch episode for FDCA Service Members!

Episode #6: Neurodiversity and Inclusion
Date: Thursday, 31 August 2023
Guests: Hannah Smith, Samantha Folan and Gee van der Watt
View Recording: FDCA Member Zone

Episode #6: Neurodiversity and Inclusion

In episode #6 of the FDCA Online Engagement Series 2022 National Educator of the Year, Hannah Smith, Family Day Care Coordinator and 2015 Educator of the Year National Finalist, Samantha Folan and Owner and Director of Autism Inclusion, Gee van der Watt, to explore the topics of neurodiversity and inclusion from a family day care and early learning context.

The panel provides advice on support services and resources that are accessible to family day care educators and services, as well as strategies for supporting neurodivergent children and their families.

Episode #7: Recruitment for Family Day Care
Date: Thursday, 7 December 2023
Guests: Janet Callus, Damon Somerfield and Peta Fitzpatrick
View Recording: FDCA Member Zone

Recruitment for Family Day Care

In this episode of the FDCA Online Engagement Series our panel of guests examine the topic of recruitment in family day care. The panel covers topics such as the applicant experience, talent pooling, the recruitment process and proactive recruitment techniques.

FDCA Advocacy and Engagement Manager Michael Farrell is joined by Senior Policy Officer, Janet Callus from the Department for Education in South Australia, National Recruitment Manager, Damon Somerfield from FDCA and Recruitment Officer, Peta Fitzpatrick, from Enhance Family Day Care in Queensland.

Episode #8: Incidents, Emergencies and Supervision
Date: Wednesday, 17 January 2024
Guests: Julie Metselaar, Phillipa Hargrave and Rebecca Davey
Recording: FDCA Member Zone

Incidents, Emergencies and Supervision

This episode of the FDCA Online Engagement Series focuses on two elements from Quality Area 2 in Incident and Emergency Management and Supervision.

Join our guests, Field Officer, Julie Metselaar from Baw Baw Shire Family Day Care in Victoria, Manager Quality Support Program, Leadership, Quality and Regulatory Support Group, Phillipa Hargrave from ACECQA and Family Day Care Educator, Rebecca Davey, from Southern Vales Family Day Care Scheme in South Australia, for an important discussion for all stakeholders in the family day care sector.

Episode #9: Fostering Relationships
Date: Wednesday, 27 March 2024
Guests: Stephanie Hoy, Rachael Sheppard, Donna Litscher
Recording: FDCA Member Zone

Fostering Relationships

Join our special guests, Stephanie Hoy (2023 National Educator of the Year winner), Rachael Sheppard (Team Leader from Kentish Lifelong Learning and Care) and Donna Klitscher (2023 Coordinator of the Year National Finalist), who will explore various relationships through the lens of family day care.