Family Day Care
To meet the needs of the ever increasing numbers of families moving into the region, Windermere provides a flexible and affordable home-based family daycare service in the Cardinia Shire. Offering a high-quality alternative to long day care childcare centres, the service is funded by the Commonwealth Government and provides affordable, accredited and quality-assured childcare for more than 1,200 families a year.
Along with giving children somewhere comfortable and friendly to play whilst their parents work, study or do the shopping, our family daycare provides important respite and emergency care for families experiencing a crisis or financial hardship. Under these circumstances, parents can know that their children are safe and well cared for whilst they recharge their batteries.
Care is provided by carefully selected, highly-skilled, registered carers in a safe, nurturing and stimulating “home away from home” environment, where children feel wanted and respected, and can forget the stresses of home. Field workers visit care providers on a regular basis to monitor the development of children and offer support and guidance. They also run weekly playgroups in Pakenham, Emerald and Bunyip as well as excursions and other special activities (such as our Children’s Christmas Party) throughout the year.
The Family Day Care Co-ordination Unit also works closely with other Windermere services, offering childcare in situations when families are homeless, when mothers have been placed in psychiatric care or drug rehabilitation and when the general safety of the children is at risk. In some instances, overnight, weekend and even longer-term care is provided as required.
Costs
Fees are reasonable and charged at an hourly rate. Commonwealth Government Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate is available to assist eligible families to meet these costs.
For more information on Windermere Family Day Care, please contact us.
Windermere Family Day Care
48 Station Street,
Pakenham
phone: (03) 5945 5000
fax: (03) 5945 5099
Click here to view PDF Brochure
Careproviders - if you are a childcare professional living with the Cardinia Shire and interested in providing Family Day Care, please phone Lisa Smyth, Manager on (03) 5945 5007.