How to become a Family Day Care Educator

Family day care educators provide education and care for babies and children in the family day care educator's own home under local government, community-based or privately operated management schemes.

Personal requirements for a Family Day Care Educator

Enjoy working with children
Able to relate well to children and their parents
Able to work independently and as part of a team
Able to use judgment to prioritise tasks
Able to cope with the physical demands of the job
18 years of age or older

Education & Training for a Family Day Care Educator

To become a family day care educator you usually have to complete a VET qualification. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information. You can also become a family day care educator through a traineeship in Early Childhood Education and Care or School Age Education and Care. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.

Additional information

To work as a family day care educator, you will need to obtain a Working with Children Check. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information. You must also hold a Provide First Aid Certificate and have completed training in anaphylaxis management and emergency asthma management. Contact the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority for more information.

Duties & Tasks of a Family Day Care Educator

Family day care educators:

Provide a range of activities and experiences that are designed to promote physical, social, emotional and intellectual development for each child
Supervise the activities of children in their care, ensuring their physical safety at all times
Support and guide children's behaviour using positive strategies
Maintain a safe, clean and appealing environment for children
Ensure meals and snacks provided for children are varied and nutritionally adequate
Take children to and from school or preschool
Perform first aid in emergencies
Maintain records of children's development within identified learning outcomes
Provide feedback to parents about their child's day
Maintain accurate attendance records
Maintain a register of emergency telephone numbers such as those of parents, doctors, police, ambulance and the fire brigade
Maintain a daily record of accidents, illnesses and the administration of medicine in accordance with requirements.

Tasks

Supervises children in recreational activities.
Supervises the hygiene of children.
Supervises the daily routine of children.
Entertains children by reading and playing games.
Manages children's behaviour and guides children's social development.
Prepares and conducts activities for children.
Assists in the preparation of materials and equipment for children's education and recreational activities.

Employment Opportunities for a Family Day Care Educator

Family day care educators may work during standard business hours, before and after school, during school holidays and sometimes overnight or on weekends. Many family day care educators are self-employed, operating from their own home.

Specializations

Family Day Care Educator

Average age
45
Future Growth
N/A
Gender Share
98% female
Average full-time
46 hours
Weekly Pay
N/A
Skill level rating
High skill
Unemployment
Average unemployment
Full-Time Share
66%
Employment Size
8,300
Employment by state
ACT: 1.2%
NSW: 34.8%
NT: 0.6%
QLD: 17.9%
SA: 4.2%
TAS: 1.9%
VIC: 32.8%
WA: 6.8%
Age brackets
15-19: 1.2%
20-24: 6.3%
25-34: 23.5%
35-44: 31.7%
45-54: 23.7%
55-59: 7.3%
60-64: 4.3%
65 and Over: 1.9%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 30.6%
Bachelor degree: 13.1%
Certificate III/IV: 28%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 8.1%
Year 10 and below: 8.2%
Year 11: 1.7%
Year 12: 10.4%