Do you have any friends that use fdc. maybe you could talk to some of them. In our scheme, new parents don't have to enrol (or pay enrolment fees) until they are ready to start with a carer - our scheme will give out three or four (if possible) different carers names and numbers for prospective parents to talk to. Maybe a mothers group (or playgroup) can give you some others to talk to.
I have been a devoted FDC user for nearly 10 years and have had several carers during that time, all (bar one who I took out of desperation after we moved) have been fantastic.
Best to discuss things like nappies and meals with the particular carers you are interviewing as they all do things differently. eg some carers provide all meals (for a fee) but many carers are happy for you to pack your child's lunchbox as well.
I've never found that paying for pub hols etc a problem, I figure if I was working I'd probably get paid so that's fair to me. If you're only using care 1 or 2 days a week then don't put your child in on a Mon or Fri and you won't be paying for many pub hols that way.
Claire goes to Family Day Care and she seems to really like it. She's been going since her 1st birthday, for 3 days a week. She likes being in a small group and is not too keen on big groups of little kids, so I felt a cente would not be the right place for her at the moment. She is the youngest there, although occasionally there is another little girl the same age who Claire "knows" from mothers group.
The lady that looks after Claire is really lovely. I did visit a few centres but they just didnt seem like the right place for Claire. Our FDC scheme has a few FDC's in our area and if I ever need an extra day for a uni exam, that our regular carer cant take Claire for, I have always found it easy to organise the extra day through another FDC in the same scheme. Our FDC also have playsessions with the other FDC's in the area. The FDC bus comes and picks everyone up and takes them to the park, the FDC centre, community centre etc.
At our FDC , they prefer disposable nappies. I wish they were more fine with cloth. I might ask again some time. I pack a lunchbox for Claire each day, with lunch, morning & afternoon tea and another little snacky thing like sultanas or something. Our carer gives the children toast in the morning, around 8:30am-ish and Claire loves eating at the table with the bigger children. She doesnt use a high chair (at home or at FDC), she just sits at the table on a normal chair and thinks its great - she thinks she is a big girl. lol. I also provide a cot sheet and a blanket. I leave it there on her first day of the week and take it home on her last day of the week.
We found FDC lovely and DS attended there 2 days a week from 6mths-9mths and then full time for a month then he got expelled "-) Yes my DS got rejected from FDC for being too demanding. Mind you, the lady was new to FDC and was lovely about it but just couldn't cope so we have stuck with centres from then on as I figure at least that way if they need a break there is someone there to relieve them
BTW our centre ABC loves our cloth although the baby room were a lot better with them then the new room as far as changing reg and storing dirty ones
Our carer was a bit off withthe routine...but then i wrote it out and asked for it to be followed...and now its goign great. She is understanding of how i want thing down and does as i ask.
One down side i dont like is, school runs....and it clashing with nap times...but thats part of the job!
We use sposies at care....ive mentioned cloth before and she has looked at me weirdly...LOL
I use FDC 3 days a week and a child care centre 2 days a week (I only use the centre because our FDC provider only works 4 days a week and she currently doesn't have any spaces on Wednesdays until the start of next year).
I much prefer FDC to a child care centre. In my experience, FDC is a much more friendly and homely atmosphere (coz it's in someone's home). My DD who is 5 months and has been in both forms of care for just over a month also seems to prefer FDC. There are less children and each child is a different age and they all get lots of attention from other children and from the carer and her family.
My FDC lady has been doing this for 12 years and also has 3 grown children. I really value her knowledge, experience and advice. I get a detailed written report of what has happened during the day including exactly how much she drank and what time and how long it took her to finish a bottle.
In most cases, FDC is a much cheaper and more individualised option. I think the level of care is second to none. I am confident that my DD is getting a similar level of care and attention at FDC to what she would at home.
For 6 days a fortnight I pay about $10.80 (after CCB rebate) at FDC and for 4 days a fortnight I pay about $75 (after CCB rebate) at the childcare centre.
Registered User
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks