You enjoy working with kids and helping them grow, and you also want to be an entrepreneur. Family daycare could be perfect for you!
In this blog, we’ll explore what a family daycare is, how it differs from regular childcare, and the key points of running a family daycare centre. We’ll also show you how our childcare courses can support you on this journey.
What exactly is a family daycare, and how is it different from regular childcare?
Family daycare isn’t just a different name — it’s a whole different approach.
The biggest difference is where it happens. While childcare centres are separate facilities, family day care occurs right in your own home. Even though family day care has to meet the same standards as childcare centres — like nutrition, staff-to-child ratios, and safety — the startup costs are much lower since you’re using your own space.
Many family daycare providers love the flexibility of working from home and can often offer longer or more flexible hours. As such, many parents love this flexibility, too!
The essentials of managing a family daycare centre – and how our childcare courses help you get there
Running a family daycare centre may look different from a traditional childcare centre, but most of the requirements are the same — and that’s a good thing!
This means that, like childcare workers, you need to complete the same childcare courses to run your own family daycare centre.
Why? Because it ensures that no matter where parents choose to send their children, they can trust that their kids are cared for by qualified professionals in a safe environment.
Understand childhood development
You’re so much more than a babysitter, you’re an essential part of a child’s development.
To do your job well, you need to understand childhood education and development.
As part of our childcare courses, students will participate in a range of units covering different theories of childhood development, as well as what develops at certain ages.
For example, you’ll learn all about:
- Physical development
- Mental development
- Stages of development
These units will help you create effective programs and activities that support healthy growth and help you spot kids who might need extra support.
While it’s a crucial part of the job, it’s often overlooked. So, choosing a childcare course that thoroughly covers this area is essential for success!
Legal requirements
Taking care of children comes with lots of responsibilities, including legal ones.
If you’re planning to open a family daycare centre, pay attention: you’ll be in charge of handling all the legal details. This includes:
- Keeping the right number of educators for the number of children (which depends on their ages)
- Following sanitation and fire safety rules
- Making sure your space, furniture, and equipment are safe and in good condition
These rules apply whether you’re running a traditional childcare centre or a family daycare centre, so meeting these strict standards is essential.
Prioritise safety
Safety is the top priority in childcare.
If you’re passionate about operating a family daycare, you need to understand your responsibility to keep kids safe. This means setting up a secure environment where they can play, learn, eat, and sleep without risk.
Safety guidelines aren’t just for childcare centres; they apply to your home as well. You’ll need to ensure that every part of your home, including bathrooms, outdoor areas, and other spaces, meets strict safety standards.
Administration skills
At the end of the day, your family day care centre is a business.
And like any other business, you must have the administration skills needed to run it daily.
In addition to giving you a solid grasp of the day-to-day work, our Diploma of Childhood Education and Care features a range of advanced topics intended to help you get off the ground and manage your centre smoothly.
Study Childcare with AXIS Institute!
CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education & Care (CRICOS Course Code: 111870H)
Our Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care will give you the skills you need to become a successful childcare educator.
This course focuses on the everyday tasks of running a family daycare or working in any childcare setting, laying a solid foundation for your career.
You’ll gain essential knowledge and skills in:
- Work, health save safety
- Child development
- Learning frameworks
This course also includes 120 hours of hands-on work placement in a certified childcare facility allowing you to put your skills into practice and gain real-world experience.
Learn more about Certificate III in Early Childhood Education & Care
CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education & Care (CRICOS Course Code: 111868B)
If you’re planning to open and run a family daycare, you’ll need more than just basic childcare skills. You’ll also need strong business, administration, and management skills.
Our Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care covers these areas, including:
- Meeting legal requirements
- Managing and running your business
The course includes 240 hours of hands-on work placement in a certified childcare facility allowing you to put your skills into practice and gain real-world experience.
Learn more about our Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
Ready to start your career in childcare?
If you’re interested in studying childcare but don’t know where to begin, we can help!
Contact us to get answers to your questions and learn more about our childcare courses.
- Call our Brisbane campus – 07 2102 3553
- Call our Sydney campus – 02 8358 7277
- Enquire now!