Additional Information

Memberships

Educators are encouraged to join NSW Family Day Care www.nswfdc.org.au and Family Day Care Australia www.fdca.com.au these organizations work to represent Educator’s, both nationally and at state level. Membership to Family Day Care Australia entitles members to reduced insurance costs, an informative magazine, publications and resources at discounted prices, as well as being kept up to date on Family Day Care issues.

Smoking

The Family Day Care service is to be a ‘smoke free’ environment. Educators, family members, parents and visitors are not permitted to smoke in the home whilst children are in care, nor in vehicles that children registered with Family Day Care are being transported in. If a person wishes to smoke in the environment when children are not in care, ashtrays will need to be cleaned of ash and cigarettes prior to children arrival. Lighters, matches and cigarettes must be stored out of reach before the children re-enter care. Homes will need to be ventilated to reduce the smell of smoke. Drugs and Alcohol Educators are to ensure that they maintain a drug and alcohol free environment at all times when children are in care.

Being an Educator

In Family Day Care, Educators are required to provide and maintain quality child care in a safe, healthy, nurturing and friendly home environment.

This responsibility includes adhering to the Education and Care Services National Regulations, Law and Quality Standards, Work Health and Safety Legislation, service policies and procedures, participation in ongoing professional development providing parents with ongoing information about their child’s daily development.

Educators must fulfil administration and business requirements of a self employed person.

You need to ensure you Provide and maintain an environment that is safe , hygienic and inclusive Maintain confidentiality

Provide and evaluate a developmentally appropriate program that recognises the children’s individual needs and interests as identified in observations

Undertake appropriate documentation on children’s developmental needs as required

Are solely responsible for the children at all times, and cannot delegate this responsibility to any other household members, unless they are registered as an Assistant Educator under the Scheme’s policies and procedures.

Maintain the home and ensure compliance with Work Health & Safety legislation and service policy requirements.

Educator’s Family

As the words ‘Family Day Care’ indicate, caring for children in your home involves the whole family. If you have a partner, children or other family members living in your house you should, as a family, talk over your plans before starting because members of the Educator’s family can play an important role in the children’s experience.

It is essential that Educators family member:

• Adhere to the Education and Care Services National Regulations and service policies such as non smoking and alcohol/drug free home whilst children are in care.
• Interact in a positive manner with children and their families.
• Ensure all behaviour guidance is implemented by the Educator · Maintain confidentiality at all times
• Ensure that only child appropriate TV programs, videos, games and books are accessible to Family Day Care children.
• Remember that all visitors to the home who are 13 years and over are required to sign the visitor’s book.
• Recognize the need for privacy when the Educator is discussing issues with staff and/or parents.
• Ensure that dress is appropriate at all times when children are in care.
• Treat everyone – staff, parents and children with respect.

Requirements

• Outdoor Play Area
• Safe and secure play area with fencing to a height of 1.2m
• Stairs and balconies have enclosed railings and barriers
• Sufficient natural and man-made shade available
• Pool compliance certificate available
• Indoor Play Area
• Clean, hygienic environment Sufficient space available
• Appropriate toys and equipment
• Sleeping facilities clean and adequate (one child per mat/cot)
• Cots must comply with Australian Safety Standards Sleeping mattress or mats surface must have a water proof protector

Play Equipment

Equipment over 600mm high but under 1metre must have a risk assessment completed in consultation with a Family Day Care Coordinator to determine its suitability and safety for play Equipment over 1 metre must comply with the Kidsafe requirement for surfacing and be filled with certified playground surfacing material.

www.kidsafensw.org

Safety Glass

• Safety glass Australian Standard: AS1288-2006 or all accessible glass has a protective film or barriers installed (This requires a statement from an authorised glazier).
• Emergencies
• Smoke detectors/fire blankets/fire extinguisher installed, tested and tagged by an authorised agent
• Electrical safety/Residual current device available and tested for compliance
• First Aid kit (main) and portable first aid kit
• Asthma kit includes breather mask and puffer
• Dangers
• Poisons/medicines locked away
• Safe entry and exits
• Smoke free area both indoors and outdoors
• Separate pet enclosure
• Safety plugs in all power points
• Hot water tapes need to be either regulated or have safety caps or disabled
• Transport & Other
• Australian standards approved restraints available for each child
• Restraints have been fitted by an RTA authorised agent
• If renting, written landlord acknowledgement is required
• Application Process: 7-stage process