Tell me about your experiences with family day care!

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.

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.

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

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?

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)

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.

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.

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!

Claire, I'm a big FDC fan, my DD1 started 1 day a week when she was 9 mths old and has been a happy FDC child ever since. My main advice is to be quite assertive when it comes to selecting the day carer, you don't have to take the first place that is offered if you have a good reason. That way you'll get a quality carer that's a good fit for both you and your kids, kwim?

BTW - congrats on your TAFE course and good luck with your study. FDC is definitely a bonus if you can get a carer who is able to do extra hours if you need them during peak study/exam times, or if you need to attend an evening tutorial and your other half is not at home.

I love it. DD was booked into the same FDC as her cousin and she loved it. I appreciated the smaller group so more personal contact between fdc mum and DD. I felt much calmer about leaving DD with someone who seemed to care for her FDC kids as much as her own (who was in the same FDC). She is still a good friend and is invited to DDs birthday next week.

The only concern that I have with it, is that if the FDC mum is unwell then there are no back ups (unless you can get a quickie place at another fdc place). This was fine in my case because my work was flexible but can be a nuisense otherwise. At least at day care centres there are other carers.

But I still think that is a small price to pay for such personalised service.

Good luck with your decision and your studies