Hi,
I was just wondering if anyone has had any experience with sending their child to a family day care centre as opposed to centre based services. If so, what did you think of them and can anyone recommend some good ones. I am on the South side so would like something in the Woden, Inner South Area.

Cheers,

I used FDC years ago with my daughter (she's now 12). I loved it. It meant that she was sick less (only 6 kids to share bugs, rather than 60). A disadvantage is that if the carer is sick, or one of her kids are, there is often no back up (they try to find some, but no guarantee).

It was a fabulous family environment, and she really enjoyed it. It was also a better option for us as, at the time, we were both shiftworkers. Not a lot of centres provide care until 11pm.

My experience with my particular Day Care Mum was fantastic. I will be looking into FDC shortly for my son for when I go back to work in September.

Hi there

I previously had my daughter in family day care through Woden/Weston Family Day Care. We've had two carers and they have both been fantastic. I haven't had my daughter in childcare centre, but I would definitely recommend family day care.

Hey there,

There are some really great carers around (and some bad but you get that anywahere).

Tali is in FDC now 5 days a week - her carer takes the 4 kiddies to the library for storytime, playgroup and dancing. Today they went to the scool holiday concert at belconnen mall. They also walk the older kids to preschool and then she only has two of them during the day

Good Luck - I suggest you meet as many carers as possible before deciding, and check out their houses / yards. FDC provide new baby car seats as well.

Have you used FDC before?

ETA She has been less sick than when she was in a centre (even though she was only in a centre once a week). Plus they get out and about more, rather than being in the one room all the time at the centre.

I know this sounds awful, but what turns me off is when i see a lady with 4-6 kids doing her weekly shop at Woolies (they are obviously not her kids)

Thankyou guys for all your help. I will look into it, I have put my daughters name down at a few child care centres but wanted to keep my options open with FDC as well.

Cheers

Well Michelle if I was at home with my kids I would be doing shopping as well?? As long as it is balanced I see no problems with the kids doing normal everyday things. Maybe the rest of the week they do lots of other things?

I am happy with FDC.

I would prefer to have Tali taken grocery shopping with he FDC'er than having some 18 year old girl with no experience taking smoking breaks out the fron of the centre...

I'm a big fan of FDC - we have tried a day care centre, and FDC, and FDC suits DS better. I am sure everyone has different preferences/needs.
We're with YWCA (in the west Belco area) - they have been wonderful. Also, if our carer is unavailable, they will bend over backwards to find alternative care for DS. I'm not sure if they have an office on the southside - but I would recommend looking into it.
Good luck for your new bubba

I rang the Belconnen FDC on Thursday to put my DD and DS's names down and their waiting lists are so long they won't take any more names and they said they wouldn't be able to place people in the next 6 months