Personalised Child Care on the Coffs Coast
Coffs Coast Family Care is the only local not-for-profit provider of home-based child care in Coffs Harbour and beyond. Our service has been run by members of the local Coffs Harbour community since 1984.
While our educators provide the primary care for your child in their own home, in-venue or in your home with in-home care, Coffs Coast Family Care manages and administers the service. Your first contact is with us and we will organise your request for child care on the Coffs Coast and monitor your child’s welfare in care.
Coffs Coast Family Care sets the fees for each service. The Child Care Subsidy is provided by the Australian Government to assist with the cost of care.
We have a network of educators in the wider Coffs Harbour area. We know the days and hours they are offering care and will try to match your needs with regard to location and hours with the most suitable educator for your child.
All of our educators have been approved as suitable persons to work with children and providing a safe home environment.
Educators have regular Working with Children Checks and a National Police Check.
Our educators care for groups of up to 4 children not attending school and up to a total of 7 children under 13, which includes the educator’s own children if any.
Our educators implement appropriate programs which include stimulating experiences and learning environments that follow the child’s interests and will assist them in their development and learning.
Coffs Coast Family Care provides full support and training to our educators to ensure their professionalism. Staff visit educators on a regular basis to support and monitor the quality of care provided.
We provide a 24 hour on-call service for families and educators.
Coffs Coast Family Care is regulated under the National Regulations and Law.
Parents Handbook
Coffs Coast Family Care is a professional home-based education and care service offering quality, flexible services for the changing needs of families on the Coffs Coast.
We are the your only local not for profit family day care service and have been providing quality childcare for the Coffs Harbour community for 40 years. Our long association with the local community ensures that we are in the best position to find a suitable and highly qualified educator in your area to care for your child.
Frequently Asked Questions
Family Day Care is small group, home-based, education and care. Educators are registered with an approved FDC provider, like Coffs Coat Family Care.
Families using Family Day Care are eligible for Child Care Subsidies and services are rated against the National Quality Standard for Education and Care Services.
Fees are set by the educator, with guidance from Coffs Coast Family Care, and therefore childcare fees may vary. However they are comparable to other similar services available on the Coffs Coast.
There will also be a parent or family levy included in the hourly rate to cover costs, plus an initial enrolment fee.
To find an available Family Day Care Service in the Coffs Coast area, submit the contact form or phone us on 02 6652 7819.
Please note that while we are working hard to grow our available services, there is currently long wait lists, and we recommend that you enrol early to give yourself the best chance of securing a space for your child.
The nature of family care is that it is a flexible childcare option. Individual educators can accommodate families of shift workers or people needing after hours childcare.
Most educators also provide before and after school care (including transport) and vacation care for school aged children. An educator can provide education and care to a maximum of seven children to an educator.
The enrolment process is a key time to begin a collaborative relationship with Coffs Coast Family Care and the educator. Our enrolment form gathers key family details, days and hours of care required, medical information and allergies or other relevant information. This might include birth certificates, immunisation statements or letter of exemption, CRN number if claiming government childcare subsidy and the details of your emergency contacts.
When a suitable educator is found, you and your child will be invited to visit the Care space and meet the educator.
Coffs Coast Family Care visits educators every 4 to 6 weeks.
Your child will, with written permission, go on routine excursions, such as visiting the library, the park, the shops, or local parklands.
In the unlikely event of an emergency, you will be notified immediately. Appropriate emergency services will be called straight away, along with the child’s parents/emergency contact. A copy of our policies and procedures is available for you on request.
Coffs Coast Family Care is an accredited Family Day Care Australia provider, and we are assessed and rated against a National Quality Standard.
In Home Care is a certified type of educational childcare designed for families for whom mainstream childcare is unavailable or unsuitable.
- Parents/Guardians working non-standard or variable hours
- Parents/Guardians residing in geographically isolated areas, especially in rural or remote locations
- Families facing challenging or complex needs, including those dealing with difficult situations
Check if you’re eligible here. https://nswihc.org.au/in-home-care/
For Family Day Care and In Venue Day Care, Educators are required to have a minimum of a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, or a teaching degree; a first aid and CPR certificate; Working With Children Check; National Police Check; and public liability insurance.
For In Home Care, Educators must have the above, plus at least 1 year experience in Early Education and Care setting or 2 years’ informal child-related work experience.
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) aims to make early learning and childcare more accessible for Australian families by paying the subsidy directly to the approved Family Care program, thereby reducing family fees.
Our Educators are independent contractors who set their fees at a recommended affordable rate for families. The total fee is lowered by the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) percentage that the family is entitled to, which can be found in their MyGov account.
Eligible families may also receive Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) under the wellbeing application with proper documentation. Families experiencing financial hardship need to apply for funding through Centrelink, where support staff will assess their eligibility.
For more information, visit the Services Australia website. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/