With 326 full time placements and 100 carers providing the service, Mitchell Family Day Care is a large and popular part of Council’s Human Services Business. According to Razija Nu’man, Group Manager of Human Services, Family Day Care is clearly the preferred form of childcare in the Shire.
In what is a close knit community, many of the care providers are already known to the children they look after. The care environment is an extension of the children’s home life, integrating friends and neighbours in this important care provision.
“The preference of Family Day Care over centre based care is a reflection of the strong commitment in the community to family values,” Razija Nu’man said.
Quality care is assured with the Shire requiring that new carers undertake extensive training in child care and first aid. In addition, police checks are not only run on new applicants for Family Day Care positions but other adults in the household. Further checks are run at regular intervals to ensure the integrity of the service.
The scheme has many advantages in a rural shire as parents have a choice over whether their children are looked after in an urban or rural setting. In rural homes, field workers, who have the task of ensuring a household’s suitability must assess the potential for a greater number of hazards such as farm dams.
Overseeing the provision of Family Day Care is Council’s experienced inhouse team who won the contract to provide the service in January this year. To win their bid, the team clearly demonstrated an innovative, focused team approach.
At Mitchell, staff understand and respond to the unique environment of the Shire and surrounding districts. Extensive knowledge of local communities enables the successful integration of families and care providers.
For further information contact Razija Nu’man, telephone (03) 5734 6200.
