Tell me about your experiences with family day care!

[Claire]

I'm applying for a full time course next year at Tafe (3 days a week) and think that FDC might be the way to go. For one, I've been told that it's cheaper than LDC and that is definitely a factor as I'm going to have to work a few evenings a week plus a weekend day shift just to pay my way with Tafe and childcare. 2) I like the idea of the children being together; Emily is a veteran at the whole childcare experience but I have remained home with my second and feel the transition would be easier for him, if Emily's around. 3) I like the idea of a smaller group of children, forming stronger ties and getting more individual attention.

I could be way of base with the above, so what's your experiences with FDC? Good and bad. Any advice?

I've applied within 3 diferent areas as my home falls within two and the Tafe is within another, so I'm pretty hopeful at keeping the children together and with having a choice of FDC.

[mrsmac]

Love it love it love it!!! My FDC lady is someone I have known for 13 years so that helps, and I have taught her 2 oldest kids and DD1 is friends with her 3rd child.
I love that DS is in a family situation not an institution, he sees the carers older children and DH, he sleeps in a travel cot in a bedroom by himself, he plays with children of all ages but only 4 others besides himself. He also has the same carer all the time, no different shifts or RDOs.
I could wax lyrical about FDC for pages, for us it is the next best thing to me minding him.

[christy]

I love it too. We have had the same carer since 2005... both girls have used Lizzie.

[AliBaby]

Sorry Claire. I am not meaning to crash your thread but am interested in this as well but not until my baby is about 6months old and only for 1 day a week. How do you find out if there are carers in your area and how far in advance do you need to book? Is it like a LDC where you need to go on wait list?

[visitor1]

Love love love it!!

Chelsea started at 5 months and Jasmine at 8 months old. They have a great time, their carer is lovely, the activites are fun. Cost wise is great and flexible with times.

C goes 2 days a week 7 hours a day (Tues and Thurs)
J goes 1 day a week for 7 hours (Tues)

[christy]

Alibaby Depends on where you are in Sydney. Warringah council has family day care through them. So you have to register with them & then they seek carers for you. If you know a carer in advance you can request them... but the only way I've done that is through friends.

[mrsmac]

I go through Centacare Broken Bay which covers the Hornsby area in a wide circle. I know Ku-ring-gai council does it too as do other councils.

[Claire]

Hi Alibaby - You could try here: 1800 670 305 (Child Care Access Hotline) and they will give you the tel numbers of the local councils in your area that have FDC. Then you contact them and give them your details and requirements, etc.

Mis_tree - Thanks for the advice about keeping childcare closer to home. Obviously it seems better for the outward journey if they are closer to the destination and therefore me, but I can certainly see the difficulty in trying to get sick children home too!