Family Day Care
The Home-Based Early Learning Experience
Your Child Deserves
Quality Education and Care in
Nurturing Home Environments
The perfect foundation for your child’s early years.
What is Family Day Care?
Family Day Care is a regulated form of early childhood education and care delivered in an educator’s own home
environment. Governed by the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations and operating under the
National Quality Framework, Family Day Care.
Child Care Options
Melbourne families, ensuring every child receives personalised and exceptional care in a nurturing environment.
Family Day Care (FDC)
Out of School Hours Care (OSHC)
Vacation Care
Casual Care
Why Choose
Family Day Care?
Personalised Attention in Small Groups
Home-Like Environment
Consistent Relationship with One Educator
Flexible Hours for Modern Families
Mixed-Age Learning
Finding the Right Fit
Finding the ideal educator for your child is crucial for a positive Family Day Care experience. Our thoughtful matching process ensures your child finds an environment where they’ll thrive:
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“Our careful matching process creates the foundation for lasting, positive relationships between families and educators.”
Enrolment
Process
Initial Inquiry
Family Consultation
Educator Matching
Meet & Greet
Complete Enrolment
Orientation
Begin Care
Quality Assurance & Compliance
in all our Family Day Care homes:
Regulatory Framework
- Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations
- National Quality Framework and Standards
- Early Years Learning Framework curriculum
- Victorian Children's Services Regulations
Educator Requirements
- Hold a minimum Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
- Maintain current First Aid, CPR, Anaphylaxis, and Asthma Management qualifications
- Have Working with Children Checks and National Police Clearances
- Undergo thorough home safety assessments before approval
- Receive regular support visits from our coordination team
Our LFC Community Speaks
Frequently Asked Questions
Family Day Care caters for children from birth to 12 years of age, including:
- Infants and toddlers (0-2 years)
- Preschool children (3-5 years)
- School-aged children (5-12 years) - before school, after school, and school holidays
Each educator can care for a maximum of 4 children under school age, with up to 7 children total including school-aged children.
Family Day Care offers several unique advantages:
Smaller Groups: Maximum 4 children under school age (compared to 10-20+ in
centres), providing more individual attention and personalized care.
Home Environment: Children learn and play in a warm, home-like setting rather
than a commercial facility, creating a more comfortable and familiar atmosphere.
Consistent Educator: Your child has the same educator every day, building strong,
secure attachments. Centres often have multiple staff and rotating shifts.
Greater Flexibility: Many educators offer extended hours including early
mornings, evenings, and weekends - more flexible than typical centre hours of 6:30am-6:30pm.
Mixed-Age Learning: Children of different ages learn together like siblings.
Younger children learn from older ones while older children develop nurturing and leadership skills.
Both Family Day Care and centres must meet the same National Quality Framework standards
for education and safety.
Yes. Family Day Care is highly regulated and must meet the same standards as centre-based care.
National Requirements:
- Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations
- National Quality Framework (NQF) and Standards (NQS)
- Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)
Victorian Requirements:
- Victorian Children's Services Regulations
- Working with Children Check and National Police Check
- Home safety and environmental standards
Educator Requirements:
- Minimum Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
- Current First Aid, CPR, Anaphylaxis, and Asthma Management certifications
- Ongoing professional development
Ongoing Oversight: Regular visits and inspections by our coordination team and
regulatory authorities ensure compliance with all health, safety, and educational standards.
Child Care Subsidy (CCS) approval for Little Footprints Care Pathways is currently
pending.
Once approved, eligible families can access CCS, which may cover up to 90% of childcare fees
depending on your family income, activity level, and number of children.
What is CCS? The Child Care Subsidy is a government payment administered by
Services Australia (Centrelink) that's applied directly to your childcare fees, significantly reducing out-ofpocket costs.
Current Status: We're working to complete the CCS approval process. Families can
enrol now, and CCS can be backdated to your start date once we receive approval.
Check your potential CCS entitlement at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/childcare-subsidy
Questions about our CCS approval progress? Contact us at info@lfcpathways.com.au
Child safety is our highest priority. We implement multiple layers of protection:
Educator Screening: Comprehensive background checks including Working with
Children Check, National Police Check, thorough reference checks, and child protection training.
Home Safety: Detailed safety assessments before approval, regular inspections of
indoor and outdoor environments, and compliance with all building, fire, and safety regulations.
Emergency Preparedness: All educators hold current First Aid, CPR, Anaphylaxis,
and Asthma Management certifications. Emergency management plans and safety procedures are in place
for all situations.
Ongoing Monitoring: Regular unannounced visits by our coordination team,
quality and compliance monitoring, and observation of educator practices and child interactions.
Regulatory Compliance: Full adherence to National Quality Framework standards,
Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations, and Victorian Children's Services
requirements.
Open Communication: Daily updates on your child's wellbeing, direct
communication with educators, and an open-door policy for family visits and questions.
We help families manage educator absences through advance planning and backup care options.
Planned Absences: Educators provide 4-6 weeks notice for holidays and
professional development. We work with you to arrange alternative care with another LFC Pathways
educator in your area or coordinate with your family's backup arrangements.
Unplanned Absences: If your educator is ill or has an emergency, they'll notify you
as early as possible (before your scheduled drop-off time). We'll assist in finding emergency backup care
when available.
Your Options:
- Use another approved LFC Pathways educator temporarily
- Arrange your own backup care with family or friends
- Some educators have approved backup educators within their service
We Recommend: Having a backup plan in place such as family members who can
help or reciprocal arrangements with other families in the network.
Fees: You're typically not charged when your regular educator is unavailable. If
you use an alternative LFC educator, standard fees apply.
Most educators take 2-4 weeks annual leave per year, so children experience continuous care
with their primary educator the vast majority of the time.
Ready to Start Your Family Day Care Journey?
Contact our Melbourne team today to discover the perfect Family Day Care environment for your child:
Head Office
