Media Release

Wednesday, 23 September 2009

A workshop conducted by Swan Hill Rural City Council's Regional Family Day Care Scheme has updated carers on new Victorian Children's Services Regulations for licensed children's services which now also includes family day care services.

Accompanied by Council Scheme field workers and support staff, the family day carers were provided detailed information about the key issues within the regulations, with discussions regarding the new regulations conducted by representatives from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD), in conjunction with Council Scheme staff who provide the administrative support to the network of carers.  

Council's Family, Youth and Children's Services Manager Jan McEwan said Council's Regional Family Day Care scheme was one of the longest-running formal child care services in the region since its inception 21 years ago.

“Swan Hill Rural City Council operates within the Children's Services Act, providing a network of family day carers, each of whom provide quality care and education for up to seven children including school age children and their own children, in their own homes,” she said.

“The service caters for young babies through to pre-teens and offers care and education in a safe, secure and stimulating home environment during standard hours, before and after school, during school holidays and in some circumstances overnight and weekends.

“Carers are supported by experienced and qualified early childhood professionals who assist with their development and match families with carers to ensure the best possible experience for all involved,” Ms McEwan added.

Victorian councils provide the majority of Family Day Care schemes within the State, and all are required to maintain quality assurance within the National Childcare Accreditation Council, in addition to the support of the local councils themselves, with finance, IT and human resources backing as required.

“Swan Hill Rural City Council's Regional Family Day Care scheme is also working closely with other early childhood programs such as Maternal and Child Health and Out of School Hours to ensure opportunities are sought to improve services to families in the community,” Ms McEwan said.

“Recent changes at both State and Commonwealth Government levels have placed a focus on early childhood and Council is ideally placed to ensure that positives flow in the form of better quality services for families with young children in the crucial nought to eight age groups.

For further information about Council's Regional Family Day Care scheme, please contact Council on 5036 2333.