Become a Carer - How to

Overview | Selection Criteria | Recruitment Process | Careprovider Responsibilities

Overview  

Darwin Family Day Care Inc is committed to providing quality home based child care that meets the needs of children and their families.  Suitably qualified careproviders, whose cultural and linguistic backgrounds reflect those of families using Darwin Family Day Care and the local community, will be recruited in a fair and transparent criteria-based process. (Principle 5.1, Quality Practices Guide)

 Careproviders are considered to be self-employed child care service providers not employees of Darwin Family Day Care Inc.

 Darwin Family Day Care Inc acts in accordance with:

· Territory Government Regulations,

· The National Standards for Family Day Care,

· Darwin Family Day Care Inc Careprovider Annual  Registration Agreement;

· The Darwin Family Day Care Inc Home Safety Check;

· Darwin Family Day Care Inc Policies and Procedures;

· The National Childcare Accreditation Council’s FDC Quality Practices Guide

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Selection Criteria

Careprovider Selection Criteria are as follows:

Knowledge and Experience

· Ability to plan and provide appropriate play experiences for children in care

· A positive approach to behaviour guidance

· A basic level of English literacy to understand and complete required administration tasks

· A basic level of spoken English to communicate with staff and essential services in an emergency situation

· Knowledge of good nutrition, health, hygiene and safety

· Demonstrated ability to respond to children in an appropriate manner

Personal Skills

· Able to work cooperatively and positively within the Family Day Care scheme

· Demonstrated to ability to communicate effectively with children and adults

· Acceptance of diversity, inclusive practices and respectful of families including cultural or religious practices, disabilities and additional needs

· Acceptance of the right of each child to learn and grow in an environment, which is warm, safe and stimulating

· Willingness to learn effective child care practices

· Awareness of the importance of professional development and continuous improvement

Qualifications

· Previous experience in the care of children is preferable

· Formal qualifications (Certificate I-III/Diploma in Childrens Services) are not essential however would be advantageous

Qualification Prior to Commencement

· Current Senior First Aid

· Successful completion of the Darwin Family Day Care Induction Training

Mandatory Requirements Prior to Commencement

· Applicant must be 18 years of age or over

· Police Checks for the applicant and any other residents in the home over the age of 18

· Final Home Safety Assessment

· Vehicle Safety Assessment (if applicable)

· Obtain a Australian Business Number (ABN)

· Public Liability Insurance (Careproviders are encouraged to take up Platinum/Gold Premiums with Family Day Care Australia)

Professional Development Commitment

· Participation in a minimum of 4 outside of business hours training sessions per year

· Child Protection Training is mandatory

· Quality Assurance training as required

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Recruitment Process

Interested applicants must contact the Darwin Family Day Care Office to receive an application pack.  General Information and Carer Application form will be sent to the applicant to complete. Or, is able to be downloaded here.

Stage 2

Applicants will be notified if their application was successful.

The senior coordinator will select potential careproviders for an informal pre-interview and home suitability assessment.  Recommendations about health, safety and environment suitability will be discussed at this time. 

Stage 3

If applicants are successful in the pre-interview and home suitability assessment they will participate in a formal interview to further address the following selection criteria.   It is not necessary to provide a written response to the selection criteria.   Successful applicants will be notified of the induction training schedule.

Stage 4

Applications must complete Darwin Family Day Care Inc induction training.  Applicants will then undertake a formal Home Safety Assessment and rectify any areas of concern prior to registration.

Stage 5

Applicants who meet all components of the selection criteria will become registered child care service providers.

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Careproviders Responsibilities

Careproviders will:

· Do everything possible to keep children safe and well cared for,

 · Be responsible for children’s individual needs and treat all children with respect,

 · Provide age appropriate programs, that promote development through play based learning and communicate to families any developmental concerns,

 · Communicate early about problems, before resentment builds,

 · Accept differences in child rearing, family traditions, and parenting styles,

 · Use problem solving strategies to approach difficult situations,

 · Maintain active supervision at all times,

 · Follow good health and nutrition practices,

· Maintain their home, outdoor play space and equipment in a safe, clean and hygienic condition,

· Participate in on-going professional development in order to ensure quality care,

 · Maintain and provide accurate records of attendance, contracts, fees paid and Child Care Benefit percentages,

· Keep all information confidential.

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