Hi Mako

I'm a carer with FDC and to answer your questions (best I can)

1. What should I look for in a carer and her house?
safety, make sure the area that she/he has set up for the kids is safe - clean, tidy (not necessary spotless), does she have adequate heating/cooling. Where do the kids sleep/play/eat.
What activities does she provide for the kids. How much TV do they watch? Does she take the kids on outings, where? how? why? these should be child orientated, in our scheme we are not allowed to take the children to shopping centres, our own childrens school activities (carnivals, concerts, etc) Ask to see childrens' portfolios although at this time in the year, she may not have any left, ask for references - many carers will have letters or cards or something from previous parents, watch the children in care, and how she relates to them if you visit during her work hours. Some carers provide a slide show (I do mine on a digital photo frame of all the photos from the year - actually I must start to set this years up).


2. How much does it cost and can I get some money back from the government or centerlink or the like? FDC is deregulated in that carers can set individual fees. Around this area, you are looking between $4.50 and $6.50 per hour depending on the carer (I charge $5 per hour and my scheme adds on another $0.50 per hour) and the scheme. Fees are dependant on your income and you may be eligible for subsidy and a rebate. If you know what your subsidy is, some carers will be able to work out what your weekly fee will be.


3.Does the carer provide food/drink or do I send that along?
Usually in FDC the parents provides everything, foods, drinks, nappies, wipes, etc. Some carers provide linen others ask parents to send it.


Hope that helps, if you need any further help, let me know