What is Family Day Care?
Family day care is approved childcare that puts your child first. In an educator’s own home, children learn and grow in small groups, enjoying a natural approach to play and discovery while forming genuine bonds with a qualified and passionate early childhood educator.
As a parent, you can rest easy knowing your child is happy and thriving in a nurturing, flexible home environment and in the hands of someone who genuinely knows them. For many families, family day care feels like the most natural fit.
How is Family Day Care different to centre-based care?
- Care is provided by an individual qualified educator working from their own home
- Educators care for small groups of no more than four children under school age at any one time
- Educators are supported by an approved service, i.e. Western Sydney Family Day Care, that conducts regular visits to monitor each child’s development
For children aged 0-12 years.
Regular Care or Casual Bookings
Before and After School Care
School Holiday Care
Weekend Care or Overnight Care
Why Choose Western Sydney Family Day Care?
Part of Catholic Care, we have been helping families in Greater Western Sydney for nearly 50 years.
When you join us, you benefit from our:
| Trusted experience and strong local network |
| Over 45 services across the Hills and Western Sydney regions |
| Access to over 200 family educators, helping you connect quickly |
| Support for all enquiries, including for non-English speakers |
| Friendly, professional staff ready to assist you |
How much does it cost?
Our Fees
Terms and conditions apply.
| Enrolment Fee ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. | $50 per child |
| Permanent Care (min. 8 hours per day) ………………………………………………………………………………………………. | $12.00 – $16.30hr |
| Casual Positions (min. 4 hours per day) ……………………………………………………………………………………………… | $14.00 – $18.30hr |
| Before and After School Care (min. 1-3 hours) …………………………………………………………………………………. | $12.00 – $23.20hr |
| School Holiday Care (min. 8 hours per day) ………………………………………………………………………………………. | $12.00 – $16.30hr |
| Weekend and Overnight Care ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Available in limited locations. | From $20.15hr |
These fees are effective from 6 July 2026.
Stories from our families
What to know before you begin
Prior to commencing care, you’ll discuss with your Family Day Care Educator:
- Your child’s routine, sleep needs, favourite activities, likes and dislikes etc.
- Any special or additional needs (e.g. medical, dietary, cultural perspectives, fears etc.)
- Where your child will sleep, eat and store their belongings etc.
- General routine and program of the Family Day Care service (both are on display).
- The Educator’s practices in relation to meal times, toileting, guidance towards positive behaviour, etc.
- Any excursions your child may be participating in.
- What you need to bring to care for your child.
- Breastfeeding support.
FAQs
Western Sydney Family Day Care (WSFDC) support families to ensure all Educator homes are safe and suitable for the provision of Family Day Care.
All homes are thoroughly safety checked at least annually to ensure that their home meets State and National safety standards, laws and regulations.
Ongoing safety checks are also carried out during educator support visits.
All Western Sydney Family Day Care (WSFDC) Educators go through a stringent onboarding process to ensure compliance and high standards are met and maintained from the beginning. All Educators must have such checks and qualifications as- a Working with Children Check (WWCC), a Criminal History Check, First Aid and CPR, Child Protection Training, Asthma and Anaphylaxis Training, Safe Sleep & Safe food handling. Their household members must also be screened with such things as WWCC, & a Criminal History check too.
One of the best things about Family Day Care is the wide variety of experiences and activities available. The home setting provides a nurturing environment in the family setting.
Each educator brings their own interests and areas of expertise to their programs, and provide such things as:
- Play based programs that foster children’s natural sense of inquiry.
- Developmentally appropriate experiences that consider the children’s interests and needs.
- A program that is planned in accordance with the Early Years Frameworks.
- Educational observations written to enhance each individual child learning and development. (under school age)
- Possible excursions to visit the park, library or to take walks to explore nature and opportunities for community engagement.
Not at all.
WSFDC has Educators who have worked with us for over 30 years, and the average would be around 10-12 years.
Our Educators are dedicated in providing the highest quality, safest and most engaging environment they can for all children and families. They are all committed to ensuring a consistent environment, connections and growth for all children- giving them skills, confidence, and foundation to thrive as they move on to school and beyond.