The family day care system in Australia: Supporting families and addressing workforce challenges
Background: In Australia, the family day care (FDC) system provides flexible, home-based early childhood education and care. Amid workforce shortages and increasing demand for accessible childcare, there is a need to better understand how FDC supports families and strengthens workforce sustainability.
Aim: This study examines how the FDC system in Australia supports families’ needs and addresses workforce challenges within the early childhood education and care sector.
Method/approach: This study uses qualitative document and policy analysis of publicly available sources related to family day care in NSW, including regulatory frameworks and service information from a Sydney-based FDC service. No human participants were involved, and ethics approval was not required.
Results/findings: The findings indicate that FDC provides flexible and accessible care that supports diverse family needs. The model also contributes to workforce participation through small-scale service delivery; however, challenges remain in regulation, coordination, and long-term educator sustainability.
Conclusion: The FDC model plays an important role in supporting families and addressing workforce shortages. Strengthened policy and structural support are needed to improve the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of this model within the early childhood sector.
Implications for children and families: You can benefit from flexible home-based care that supports your learning and fits your family’s everyday needs.
Implications for practitioners: You should consider how flexible home-based models like FDC can support families while responding to workforce challenges in practice.
Keywords: family daycare, ECE Australia educators, early childhood workforce
This presentation relates to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: