Family Day Care is a home-based childcare service for families with children from 6 weeks to 12 years of age. A carefully selected group of qualified Educators are registered with us to supervise and educate children in their home.
Small groups
Educators can care for up to a maximum of 4 pre-school children. These small groups mean your child will gain valuable individual attention so they feel safe and nurtured.
Team approach
Our child-care qualified and trained supervisors oversee the placement of children. We use frequent unscheduled visits to Educator homes to make sure families and Educators have all the support they need.
Exceptional care
We’re an ‘approved child care service’ through the Commonwealth. This means parents can apply for Government subsidies.
We Exceeded National Quality Standards (NQS) in our last accreditation (possible ratings: Meeting, Passing, Exceeding). Children in our care are given quality educational programs, recreational programs, and positive experiences. These help them achieve developmental and learning outcomes according to National Quality Frameworks.
Did you know?
According to Family Day Care Australia 2015 research:
- Family day care has run for over 40 years
- There are over 800 family day care approved services
- Over 220, 850 children are enrolled in family day care
- Over 123,910 families use family day care.
Childcare and Family Day Care: what’s the difference?
There are a few similarities between a Childcare Centre and Family Day Care: both need to be safe, accredited, and run by professional Diploma qualified educators.
But there are a few major difference: cost, location, and hours are just a few.
This comparison table gives a snapshot of the two types of services. Note that not all family day care businesses are run the same way as VIP Family Day Care - we will only comment on our practices as a family day care service.
| Consideration | Childcare Centre | VIP Family Day Care |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $100 - $180 per day (Pay per full day) | $8 - $12 per hour (pay by hours needed, not by day) |
| Child to Carer Ratio | 1:12 pre-school children No school aged Children | 1:4 pre-school children Up to 12 yrs old – can do school drop and pick ups |
| Hours | Typically 6am - 6pm Heavy penalties apply for late pick-ups. | Flexible We can accommodate shift workers, weekends, overnight stays, respite and short term care. No fixed term contracts! |
| Government subsidies (Department of Health & Education) | If eligible: Yes | If eligible: Yes |
| Activities | Age appropriate programs planned with reflection and reports for each child. | Age appropriate programs planned with reflection and reports for each child (More details under ‘What kids do in VIP Family Day Care Educator homes’ on this page). |
| Professional Educator (Carer) | Yes Some carers in training for their Diplomas. | Yes All Educators (and the Supervisors that visit them every 3 weeks) each have a Diploma in Childhood Education. |
| Accredited according to the National Quality Framework | Yes | Yes |
| Immunisations | All children must have up to date immunisations. | All children must have up to date immunisations. |
| Location | A centre | Educator’s home mainly Other excursions with permission from parents. |
| Back up care (if an Educator is sick or on leave) | Yes | Yes Can be arranged. |
| Safety | Safe environment including set up, care processes, and toys. | Safe environment including set up, care processes, and toys. All homes must pass ongoing safety checks every 3 weeks. |
| Supervisors | Centre manager present during opening hours. | Supervisors, and Family Day Care Director keep in contact with Educators every week. Families can contact Supervisors as often as they like. |
| Special needs / disabilities | May be addressed though difficult with typically bigger groups of children. | More 1-1 care and attention. Early intervention services can easily be arranged, esp. for kids with Autism or Global Delay. |
| Choice of Educator | Generally no Large group of children moving around makes it hard for 1 educator to always be assigned to the same child. | Yes Your child will always be with your chosen Educator. |
What kids do in VIP Family Day Care Educator homes
Kids will be offered activities that are suitable for their:
- Age
- Interests
- Behavioural and developmental needs
- Routines.
Activities may include:
- Listen and dance to music
- Sing songs
- Read stories
- Art and craft
- Imaginative play
- Playgroup
- Play with toys (age appropriate)
- Trips to the library, park, shops, playground (with parent permission)
- Eat
- Rest / Nap.
All Educators:
- Complete a plan before every day a child attends care
- Run activities
- Make sure the environment is always safe
- Work with each child’s routines
- Monitor and report on every child’s progress, including their health, mood, and behaviour.
The team
It takes a team approach to make family day care work. Whether you’re an Educator or a family with a child in care, we’re all ‘in it for the kids’. And that is what makes all the difference. Our team includes:
- Parents
- Educator
- Director Angela Buttigieg
- Supervisors
- The rest of the VIP Family Day Care team.
Frequently asked questions
Question 1: How much does it cost?
Parents: $8-13 per hour
Educators: Fees
Contact us for current levies and fees.
Question 2: How will I know what makes a good daycare?
- Check accreditation ratings: Search national registers if you’d like to check out the ratings of family daycare services in your area. As an example, check out our ratings from the last audit.
- Ask the right questions: Refer to this list of ‘Questions you should ask’ when you contact a daycare service.
- Meet and greet: Speak to the person who may be looking after your child - and visit their home.
Do your research. And then ask: ‘Am I really comfortable leaving my child in this service’s care?’
I wanted to let you know that my kids have been with one of your educators in Werribee for about 3 1/2 years through your kind services. She has been absolutely amazing and has gone out of the way multiple times to help my kids and to make things easier for me as a parent as well.
She feels like a part of the family and I do not have enough good words to say about her as a day care educator and as a person. My kids totally adore her!- Rachi (Werribee)
Putting the family back into family day care
VIP Family Day Care is a family run business owned and operated by Angela Buttigieg.
It’s a home-based childcare service for families with children aged 6 weeks to 12 years of age who require a safe, nurturing, and educational environment for their children.
Your child will get the attention and very best care from a caring and fully qualified Educator.
What’s special about VIP Family Day Care?
- Affordable (subsidies apply)
- Flexible care options 24 hours, 7 days a week
- Accredited Service
- Individualised, personal care in a home environment
- Smaller child ratio compared to long day care centres
- Strong ongoing support for families and Educators
- Thorough and equitable Educator selection process.
VIP Family Day Care Philosophy
We will provide access to quality home based childcare for all children and families in a warm, secure environment, where the development of self-esteem, creativity, independence, and individuality are fostered and which is culturally diverse and responds flexibly to family needs.
Comply with Victorian and National Frameworks for learning and development outcomes.
A family service run by family
First private family day care service in Wyndham
VIP Family Day Care was formed in 2004 by Angela's mother, Gail Sinopoli. At the time, Gail worked as Supervisor for the family day care services of Wyndham City Council. Unfortunately, the Council stopped operating this much needed service.
Gail quickly formed VIP Family Day Care soon after, while still overseas on a short holiday. Gail gathered all the Educators (who were now out of business) from the Wyndham Council - and invited them to join the first private family day care service in Wyndham.
Gail brought in her experience and skills into setting up VIP Family Day Care. She set up similar processes to those set up by Wyndham and Hobsons Bay Councils. Gail was a Supervisor with both Councils for many years, as well as a Social Worker at Footscray Council.
Since then, VIP Family Day Care has helped many families with affordable and flexible care for their children in a nurturing home environment.
The proof is in the numbers: more than 1000 happy families and more than 115 Educators who care for them.
VIP Family Day Care is now one of the largest family day care services in Wyndham, servicing Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit, Truganina, Werribee, Point Cook, Williams Landing, Altona, Melton, Lara and Derrimut.
Under the leadership of Director Angela, Gail’s daughter, the service is set to keep growing - and her aim is to achieve the highest possible accreditation rating, Excellence, in all areas of the quality standards (rare for any child care service).
This dedication and focus to exceptional child-focussed care will benefit every child and Educator who are part of the VIP Family Day Care family.
I wanted to let you know that my kids have been with one of your educators in Werribee for about 3 1/2 years through your kind services. She has been absolutely amazing and has gone out of the way multiple times to help my kids and to make things easier for me as a parent as well.
She feels like a part of the family and I do not have enough good words to say about her as a day care educator and as a person. My kids totally adore her!
- Rachi (Werribee)
In your educators care, my girls have thrived. They have made friends, learned so much, and have confidence in themselves. I have nothing but the highest praise for your educators. Additionally, her facilities are clean, neat, and well maintained. She is organized in her activities and interactions with other carers.
As much as I hate to admit it, she has probably done a better job at their daily care than I could have done in the same position. She and her family have become our friends.
- Elizabeth (Parent from Hoppers Crossing)