Organising Your Child Care
When you contact the Co-Ordination Unit the staff will determine your priority of access as per the Commonwealth Child Care Services Handbook.
- Priority 1: Children at Risk
- Priority 2: Children of parents who work or study
- Priority 3: Any other child
If we are not able to place your child in care immediately we will place your request on our waiting list. Please continue to be in contact with us until we are able to meet your specific child care needs.
Finding The Right Carer For You
The staff at the Co-ordination Unit aim to refer you to a number of Carers who may be able to offer you care.
You can arrange to visit each Carer at their home so you can decide who will best suit your needs.
We recommend that you initially visit the Carer whilst other children are in care. This allows you to see how the Carer interacts with other children and how they operate their service.
When selecting your Carer you may want to consider the following:
- Does the home environment ‘feel right'?
- Is the atmosphere warm and friendly?
- Are the children happily involved in activities?
- Is the Carer able to cater for any special needs my child may have?
Please inform the Co-ordination Unit of your choice of Carer.
Enrolment With Your Carer
Your child may begin care once all the enrolment forms are completed. As this can take some time, we suggest that you make a separate appointment with the Carer to complete forms.
Take time to discuss your expectations of care,
Your child's individual needs as well a hours of care, payment of fees, child rearing practices, diet, special needs, custody and access issues
Fees and Charges
Each Carer has their own individual fee schedule.
Parents can apply to the Family Assistance Office for Child Care Benefit(CCB) to reduce their fees.
Special Child Care Benefit may be available in times of temporary financial hardship.
Grandparents responsible for the care of children may access Grandparent Child Care Benefit
Parent are responsible for the full cost of their child care until CCB notification is received
The Scheme charges families a weekly levy that is included in the fee and collected through their Carer.
Child Care Benefit (CCB)
Parents who wish to apply for CCB must contact the Family Assistance Office (FAO) on 136150.
Our Service Provider Number is 555 000 663L.
If possible this should be completed prior to your child commencing care.
Notification from the FAO confirming your CCB percentage will be sent to the Co-ordination Unit.
Please ensure that your CCB is always current. Your carer will provide further information regarding your obligations when receiving CCB.
Policies and Procedures
Bright Futures Family Day Care has policies for the management of the Scheme and for Carers Scheme Membership. These are available to families either from the Co-ordination Unit or from your Carer.
Carers have their own philosophy and policies for the operation of their service. Your Carer will give you the opportunity to read these and discuss them with you when you have your interview.
Carer policies will include statements on;
- Food and nutrition
- Outings
- Transport procedures
- Sun protection
- Illness of children
- Administering medication
- Behaviour management
- Child protection
- Concerns of parents
- Delivery and collection of children
- Payment of fees
- Termination of care
Grievances
We hope that your experience with Family Day Care is enjoyable and positive. If you have a concern you have a responsibility to tell us. A Grievance Procedure is available. If you are happy please tell everyone.
Supports For Families And Children
The scheme staff are able to make referrals to agencies and services that assist families. If you are experiencing any problems in your parenting role or in the care environment please feel free to discuss this with us.
The Scheme applies the National Privacy Principles to all information collected.
Further information, please contact:
- Bright Futures Family Day Care