Educator criteria - do you have what it takes?

We are looking for people to join our team, who meet the following criteria:

• Over 18 years
• Truly value building relationships and enjoy interacting with children and families with a sense of fun  
• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written and ever developing digitally)
• Calm, in good health, and have plenty of energy and motivation to care for children
• Knowledgeable about child development
• Positive approach to supporting children's behaviour
• Supportive family / household members
• Creative (embrace children's messy art and play), resourceful and keen to offer play based learning experiences for children of mixed ages
• Excellent hygiene, safety and nutritional practices (live and promote a healthy lifestyle)
• Appreciate and care for our natural environment (a great recycler, gardener and enjoy the outdoors)
• A lifelong learner (Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care qualification or more is essential)
• Organised and aware that record keeping, planning and critical reflection are required business practices
• Live in Perth's eastern suburbs 

Benefits for educators

Some of the benefits of starting your own family day care business and joining Eastern Region Family Day Care include:

• Assistance setting up your business with a nationally accredited service
• Flexibility and choice of work days / hours / holidays
• Work from home and available for your own children / family
• An income and deductable expenses as a self employed small business operator
• Business payment support and guidance
• A team of early childhood professionals and finance staff to guide you
• Access to all operational documentation (paper and electronic) and training
• Organised incursions / excursions 
• Personal wellbeing and professional development opportunities and resources (children and educator)
• Networking and support of a large team of professional educators
• Referrals, promotion to new clients (online, social media, community events)
• Advocacy in the education and care sector and your community
• Participation in social and children's events
• Emergency 24/7 support
• Access to our office, toy and street library, recycling station weekdays
• Active members of FDCWA and FDCA
• Positive change in the lives of children and families in your community
• Opportunities of days filled with play, the outdoors and laughter.

Our team - why join us?

Our team have extensive experience in family day care, from your first contact, you will be listened to; receive prompt support for questions and/or concerns; be inspired and recognise that our team of service staff and educators are there to build your business and confidence as a family day care business owner and advocate family day care in our community. 

We maintain a commitment to all members for continuous improvement with ongoing individual coaching, mentoring and the provision of professional development sessions (internal and outsourced).  We are proud to achieve our commitment to children to have a right to quality education and care as demonstrated in our NQS rating.

As a not-for-profit business, supported by the Shire of Mundaring, we set a simple and transparent business fee to cover registration and services offered to you as a member. 

Changes to your home

Many family homes (especially with young children) may already meet many of the health and safety requirements necessary to become a registered educator.

Our Registration Officer is able to visit your home to provide recommendations for any adjustments to meet regulatory requirements.

Children's learning areas for consideration

When considering if your home has what it takes to offer Family Day Care services, consider the following spaces needed by children.

Children need space for:

• Messy play, like art or water activities
• Loud, active play, like jumping, rolling, and dancing
• Working or playing quietly 
• Playing pretend
• Playing in groups and solo
• Eating
• Relaxing, resting or sleeping
• Participation in home learning opportunities eg. cooking, gardening etc.

New Educator Handbook

Our applicant handbook provides information to assist you in making an informed decision about setting up and operating a family day care business from your home.

We outline the costs, benefits for you, your family and your clients (children and families who may one day be enrolled in your care). We acknowledge and seek solutions to any challenges that small business owners face working in a family home.

Family Day Care New Educator Handbook (PDF)