Calling all Family Day Carers!

I wanted to know who on BB is a FDCarer. I've just on Thursday started the process through a scheme in the area, and was wondering if there were any others on BB (I know of a few, who have been a HUGE help so far!) who wouldn't mind sharing who they are so I can pick your brains if (WHEN! :lol:) I need to :D

The process seems a little overwhelming and I feel like I'll never get through the 'checklist' of everything that needs to be done! And then I'm scared that at the end of it I'll be waiting for ages for families to come through the door!

Does anyone want to share what their start-up was like, how they set their house up. Did you have two living areas? A set-up in the garage? How did you decide what was 'common ground' and what was 'home'. How did your children react? Do you have school-age children attending outside of school hours care? Do you have a car big enough to for all the car seats/boosters in it?
Is anyone renting? How have you gone with any home modifications that may have been needed in reantal situation?

So many questions I have on my list to ask the scheme, but I also want to ask others who are carers too.
I'm so excited! And so nervous! And I feel like it's all happening so fast, they have been in contact and want to orgranise the safety visits, happening so fast becuase we aren't even ready for that yet, we need to move first! But in my head it can't happen fast enough. That makes no sense, but that's how I feel haha! I can't wait to work from home! To be able to cuddle my darling girl when I need to remind myself that it's all worth it!

GL with this Leasha. I think it's a fantastic idea. DS2 has been at FDC 2 days a week this year, and will be next year as well. Our carer is so awesome.

I can only answer your questions as a customer obviously, but hopefully it will help a little. Our FDC carer has 3 older kids - 1 at uni and 2 at high school but has been doing it since they were much younger. She has a largish 2 storey house. There is a second living area at the back of the bottom level with a separate entrance and she uses that and a spare bedroom - the bedroom is a combined play room and sleeping area and the kids play in the living area and outside as well. She has set up the carport area for outdoor play and also they do gardening and things weather permitting. She never drives them anywhere but does walk them to a church a few doors down for music lessons once a week during the school term. When the carers own kids are home they often use the computer in the area where the FDC kids are, and during school holidays they help with the kids and at these times when there are extra hands they sometimes go to the park. I think it's a great arrangement for everyone.

Leash, I might be wrong, but I think you would probably fill up quite quickly. There is lots of demand in most areas for FDC and it's really a great option for working parents. All the best with it.

I'm not a FDC person but I have a friend who is (in WA) who has a set up in a rented house. She had to have permission (I think written) from the landlord to run a business like this from the house. He was more then happy though for her to pay for all the safety upgrades to the house (Like safety film on all lower windows). She loves doing it though.

ETA: Oh I thought you were in melbourne, I will be looking for places for my two next year in all likelihood! Good Luck

Subscribing to this as it's something I've been thinking about doing :)

Another FDC customer happy to give you some feedback from this side of the fence.
DD2 goes to FDC 2 days a week. The carer has her 2 children (2yrs & 4yrs), Emily & another little girl in her care on those 2 days. Her house is a small 3 brm, 1 lounge room house. The kids rooms have spare beds in both of them for the kids to rest in. She uses her lounge room, dining area and outside area (undercovered and outside) for the kids. She doesn't travel, but one day a week she has another FDC carer and her kids come over for a big play. Our carer only works 4 days a week and has found it really difficult finding parents who want part time. All the parents here want full time.

Like muminalice has said, if you're renting, you'll need to get permission from your landlord to do this. Usually they're fine with it.

Hope that helps. Good luck.

First things first babe, if your moving, let the real estate know beforehand you want to work from home and need permission... otherwise you could end up in the perfect house, and the owner say no.....

I have done FDC from 4 different houses now, so I have had 4 different set ups!!!

Did you have two living areas?I have/and havent, and I wouldnt do it ever again unless i did, esp with Shell and Jazz being home. You really need some "family space" with this job, its long hours.

A set-up in the garage?
I am currently set up in the double gagrage. Its awesome!! a large space with lino and rugs.. the kids can go nuts and they cant hurt anything!!!

How did you decide what was 'common ground' and what was 'home'. How did your children react?
When I had it in the house, 1 loungeroom, it was very hard. They had no where to go to escape the kids... I wouldnt recommend it, esp with a bub maybe on the way too!!! You need clear boundaries for "work" and for "Shell and Jazz to escape"

Do you have school-age children attending outside of school hours care?
No. I have had when mine were little though. It can be hard, esp if they need picking up/dropping to school....

Do you have a car big enough to for all the car seats/boosters in it?

Yes ;) But many dont. You dont need one if there is somewehere to walk to...

Is anyone renting? How have you gone with any home modifications that may have been needed in reantal situation?
I have in the past, and it was no worries. there isnt that much to do usually, and there are easy ways around almost every problem.

Good luck babe, and pick our brains when you need to!!! xoxoxo

I'm here, I need to re-read your post, but wanted to reply so I didn't loose this. PM me if you want any details (I'm also on a forum for fdc, and there's lots of ideas there)

OK, just had a chance to read through your post and the others.

Start Up - I started up a million years ago and FDC has changed so much over the years (ok, not quite that long ago, but it feels like it). Our scheme has quite a large checklist (it's a thick book), that needs all the boxes ticked off before you can start - and again each twelve months.

When I first started I rented, and it was hard to get permission, you will need written permission from your landlord, explain to them FDC and you can get separate insurance for it. Some landlords like the idea that you will have someone checking your place over each month. (use that to your advantage to get permission to do FDC)

Do you have two living areas When I first started, no. We also bought our own house and this house was smaller when I started back after my second son was born. We've since extended so we now have two living areas. I use DD's room for a "cot room", our loungerooom is the older kids sleep area (which means family can't use that area during sleep time) and family room/kitchen is where I do FDC. The worst thing about it, is not being able to get away from work at the end of the day, it's always here.

Common Ground Just a matter of necessity - I need to use those areas, so I do. When I first started I used my DS's bedroom, they just accepted it, they're that type of kids, they go with the flow.

They did find it hard to adjust to sharing mum and their toys, but they did adjust after a while. It doesn't seem to bother them at all now, and it's all DD knows - I came back when she was almost 7weeks old, she looks for the kids on the weekend and will "chat" with any child when we are shopping.

School Age I have in the past, but personally I find they are harder to care for. I refuse to do pick up/drop off, there is a bus around the corner or they can walk to school. I find it too hard when I have 5 little ones to get in and out of the car.

Travel I have a tarago which has 5 car seats in it. We go to the scheme playgroup once a fortnight, although the kids really enjoy this and get upset during school holidays cause it's not on, I'm going to look for something closer next year. I'm finding it really hard with the amount of traffic on the road now, it worries me that something will happen to one of the kids.

Let me know if you need anymore information.

Wow thanks everyone :) Still taking it all in, and yep have drawn up a letter to include in the lease application, have included what I think I need to.

mollycat, can you PM me the forum if you don't mind? :)