Federal Government funding unveiled yesterday will tackle a major shortage of Family Day Care places in Orange and provide employment for new day care providers.
$135,000 in support from the government's Community Child Care Fund is part of a long-term plan by the Australian Government to make Family Day Care Services more sustainable.
The Orange Family Day Care Scheme, coordinated by Orange City Council, currently has 15 local educators. However, due to a shortage of educators, there are currently around 160 children on a waiting list for a place in Family Day Care. Family Day Care is a childcare service operated by a trained educator, who looks after up to four children in a family setting at their own home.
SUPPORT: Newly-announced funding will help Orange City Council recruit more educators for the Orange Family Day Care. (Pictured (l. to r.) educator Bobbie, Family Day Care Manager Megan Dawson, Member
for Calare Andrew Gee and Mayor Cr Reg Kidd, with children Carter Buesnell, Ivy Knight and Sophia Knight.
The latest funds, which will be split over two years, builds on this work by delivering a strategy of face-to-face approaches to recruit potential new educators through local community groups.
Orange Mayor Cr Reg Kidd, said the funding would help boost child care services in town.
"I am delighted that Orange City Council can work in partnership with the Australian Government to improve the sustainability of the Orange Family Day Care Service," Cr Reg Kidd said.
"Family Day Care is so popular in Orange, there are currently 160 children on a waiting list, seeking a place. There are currently fifteen Family Day Care educators, but there's enough demand to double that number. The real issue is recruitment and this funding is going to let that happen.
"There are many families with young children in Orange and becoming a Family Day Care educator can offer a parent the opportunity to deliver a valuable service while working from home and making a good income. I'm optimistic this funding will make all the difference."
"COVID has taught us how many people want to work from home. Family Day Care lets someone create a new job, while working from home," said Cr Kidd.
Member for Calare, Andrew Gee, said this funding will create more child care places in Orange, helping more local parents take on additional hours at work if they choose.
"For more than 30 years, the Orange Family Day Care Scheme has provided a wonderful alternative to a traditional childcare centre, offering day-care that feels just like home," Mr Andrew Gee said.
"Educators help kids get off to the best possible start in life by opening the doors to their own family homes, and providing children with the opportunity to learn and grow in a small, family-like group. To back hard-working families in our country communities, access to quality child care is essential - that's why I'm proud the Australian Government is supporting an educator recruitment drive by Orange Family Day Care with a $135,000 grant.
"Improving the number of places available at Family Day Care will give more local parents in the Orange region the flexibility to get back into work, volunteering or study if they would like to.
"With more and more people considering a move from the city to regional NSW, increasing the number of child care places in the country is vital in supporting young families who choose to make Orange their home."
