Information on becoming an Educator

To become an Educator with CCA Family Day Care, please contact the Coordination Unit Office on 9874 0066 or by submitting an online enquiry form below. We will send you a comprehensive information package. This package will include information about our service, the support we offer the Educators, the added programmes that we have for educators along with an application form.

The Registration Process

  • Read all the information in the package you receive from the Coordination Unit office.
  • Complete the application form containing information on yourself, your family, previous experience, qualifications, intended service operation times, areas of the home being used for family day care and forward to the Coordination Unit.

Attention:

Julie Parnham
CCA Family Day Care
2 Dickson Avenue West Ryde, NSW 2114

  • A home interview will be arranged to assess the suitability of your property and to expand on the information in your application.
  • An initial Home Risk Assessment will be conducted outlining any changes which will be required for your home to meet current regulations and standards.
  • A Working with Children Check certificate for the Educator and all adult household members must be supplied and will be verified;
  • Referees will be contacted for confirmation regarding applicants suitability;
  • Copies of proof of identity and residential address documents will be checked. Identifying documents must have a total of 100 points according to the schedule of points provided
  • A medical clearance from your Doctor will be requested
  • Obtain landlord permission to conduct your family Day Care business if renting as well as Strata permission if in a Townhouse or Villa.
  • If your application is accepted you will be offered the opportunity to join our Scheme as an Educator.
  • New Educators must attend induction training. Induction training is 3 to 4 days and is conducted at various times during the yea
  • A final Home Risk Assessment will be undertaken where Educators must have their home completely set up as though they were expecting children into care
  • Obtain Public Liability insurance
  • Sign Educator agreement and code of conduct
  • Educators must commence their service no later than 3 months after completing induction training.
  • Complete First Aid, Emergency Asthma management and Anaphylaxis management training
  • Educators will be registered with the Scheme when all documentation is complete. They will be assigned to the Educator Support Officer responsible for new Educators and be visited at least once per week for the duration of their probation period
  • New Educators will be placed on probation for a period of 6 months during which time registration can be removed if any breaches of regulation occur, national standards are not met or a quality learning environment is not continually provided.

What do you need to become an Educator?

Essential Criteria:

  • You must be over 18 years of age;
  • You must be an Australian Citizen or hold residency;
  • You must have a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (or equivalent) as a minimum qualification. For approved qualifications visit acecqa.gov.au “Equivalent Early Childhood Qualifications”;
  • You must hold a valid, approved Senior First Aid Certificate and approved training for Emergency Asthma and Anaphylaxis Management acecqa.gov.au “First Aid, anaphylaxis management, emergency asthma management training”;
  • You must have had experience working in an early childhood setting or service;
  • You must live in a house, townhouse or villa. If you live in a Unit it must be on the ground floor and with suitable outdoor playspace available closeby;
  • You must complete and have a satisfactory Working with Children Check for both yourself and all persons 18yrs and over living in your home;
  • Medical clearance from a medical practitioner.

Educator essential qualities will include:

  • Fluent written and spoken English;
  • A genuine love of children;
  • A sound understanding of children’s development including social and emotional, physical, cognitive and language development;
  • Warmth, honesty, patience, tolerance, flexibility and common sense;
  • Knowledge of appropriate behaviour guidance strategies;
  • A professional attitude towards operating a quality children’s service;
  • Ability to work alone;
  • Ability to communicate effectively with parents and staff.

Educator Responsibilities

  • Undertake regular observations of children in care assessing their development and needs against the EYLF outcomes;
  • Complete, evaluate and reflect on a daily /weekly programme of activities which is based on the children’s identified interests, abilities and needs;
  • Keep accurate and up to date records of all children in care including attendance (timesheets), illness, injury, medication, emergency evacuation drills, excursion risk assessments and permissions, developmental progress and evidence of participation in the programme;
  • Undertake daily safety checks of the indoor and outdoor environments;
  • Complete timely annual risk assessments for excursions and annual re-registration;
  • Undertake regular training by attending at least 3 scheduled training sessions per year as well as keep all qualifications as required by the National Regulation current ie First Aid. This includes Child Protection;
  • Develop own service quality improvement plan and personal professional development goals;
  • Ensure children are served food which has been stored and prepared safely and hygienically.

To be able to provide consistent quality care to the children and families in your care you will need to:

  • Comply with all laws, legislation and regulations governing children’s services including the
    1. Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010
    2. Education and Care Services National Regulation 2011
    3. The National Quality Standards (NQS)
    4. Learning Frameworks – The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) & My Time, Our Place (MTOP)
    5. Child (Care & Protection) Act 1998
    6. WH&S Act
  • Comply with CCA Family Day Care service policies and procedures;
  • Provide an environment that operates in a safe and respectful manner;
  • Maintain your home, outdoor areas, equipment and furniture in a clean, safe and hygienic condition;
  • Provide an environment that will stimulate children’s learning and development, offering age appropriate and interesting activities both indoors and outdoors;
  • Provide for children’s daily needs including sleep, rest, toileting and meal times;
  • Follow correct hygiene practices;
  • Work in a positive manner with children and adults;
  • Use children’s interests, knowledge and skills as a basis for programming activities;
  • Observe and document children’s ongoing learning and participation in the programme;
  • Undertake regular professional development;
  • Communicate with families and the coordination unit in a respectful manner;
  • Have a computer, printer and email address;
  • Have a mobile phone. A landline is also recommended;
  • Have an annual RMS (Roads and Marine Services) check on your vehicle and all child seats if using your car to transport Family Day Care children.

Induction Training

New Educator induction training can be run in groups or on an individual basis. Training generally runs for 3 to 4 days depending on the number of Educators attending and the previous experience of the candidates. The scheme also uses a comprehensive induction manual which applicants can complete at their own pace before commencing as an Educator.

Educator induction training will provide information on:

  • Coordination Unit layout and staff introductions;
  • Administration, including timesheet completion and submission dates, fee structures, accountability responsibilities, payment for resources;
  • Scheme policies and procedures (National Law and Regulations);
  • Setting up a Family Day Care business;
  • Prescribed information to display;
  • Resource folder/documentation training;
  • National Quality Standards;
  • Programming and documentation in Family Day Care including the EYLF;
  • Risk Assessments for outings;
  • Health and Hygiene;
  • Family Day Care environments including Educator home visits;
  • Toy and Resource Library.

New Educators will be provided with the following resources prior to commencement:

  • Copy of the Education and Care Services National Law 2010
  • Copy of the Education and Care Services National Regulation 2011
  • Copy of the Guide to the National Quality Standard
  • Educator Diary
  • Policies and Procedures folder
  • CCA FDC journal book
  • Copy of ‘What to See, Say and Show’ National Quality Standards resource
  • EYLF resource folder
  • MTOP resource folder if required
  • CCA FDC resources folder
  • Laminated copy of the Scheme Philosophy
  • Laminated prescribed service information

The Coordination Unit will assess the prospective Educator in regards to:

  • Knowledge, experience, and training in childcare;
  • Holding a Certificate III in Child Care as a minimum qualification;
  • Attitude and commitment to the aims of the scheme, quality standards and compliance with the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations;
  • Awareness of safety, health and hygiene requirements for children’s services;
  • Age, maturity, health, physical and emotional ability to care for young children;
  • Ability to communicate with adults and children;
  • Awareness of and sensitivity towards the needs of young children and their families including a range of cultures, religions and disabilities;
  • Willingness to work cooperatively with parents and Family Day Care staff to provide a high standard of care for the children;
  • Demand for care in the area of the proposed Family Day Care service.

Family Day Care Educators are small business owners. You will be operating your own business, you will be self employed and you will need a have an ABN number.

To successfully run your own small business you will need to consider:

  • Keeping accurate tax records, possibly seeking the advice of an Accountant;
  • Manage your income to cover changes in income due to annual leave, sick leave, superannuation and time when you have fewer children in care;
  • Having the appropriate insurance in place and current at all times including public liability insurance;
  • Keeping all required first aid and emergency management qualifications current and up to date.

Have a question?

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions for more information about becoming an Educator. If you have any further queries, please complete the enquiry form below or call 9874 0066 / email fdc@ccas.org.au.

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