Welcome,
This week we focus on the often forgotten child care option of family day care. We also look at Part 2 of our survey results: what parents think about quality of child care and how employers are supporting parents to manage the daily juggle.

With the lack of child care places for "under twos" in many areas, combined with pressures of cost, travel, convenience and hour restrictions, many parents are increasingly looking at other more flexible child care options.

Some parents prefer something a little more personal and in more of a home environment.

Family day care now accounts for 12 per cent of Australia's entire early childhood education and care sector with 16,000 educators helping to grow and shape the lives of more than 115,000 children around the country.

The core elements of family day care are with the National Quality Framework, the National Quality Standard and the Early Years Learning Framework, all of which are part of the national legislation introduced in January 2012.
continued…

The second part of our survey results is all about quality of care across the country and support for working parents.

Most figures show little change for the better than last year with parents still fearful of what the National Quality Framework guidelines will mean in terms of child care affordability and with employers still needing to put their money where their mouth is in terms of real support for working parents. But it does seem that South Australia is where parents are happiest with child care although it’s where employers are least flexible.

Parents still unsure of the consequences of the NQF
With the National Quality Framework (NQF) now in full swing and staff to children ratios being implemented across the country, it may come as some surprise that half of the parents surveyed said they didn’t really understand much of what the new NQF was about. Least in the know are parents in NT (42%) followed by QLD (38%) and ACT (36%).

However on what they do know, 23% of parents think that the NQF will lead to better quality care and agree with the new ratios and better qualified staff, but over a quarter (28%) are sure that the new guidelines will lead to a further increase in child care fees, when over half (52%) said they would like to reduce the fees they currently pay, followed by the hours of operation.
continued…

Kristy Sturgess is a mum and stepmum who runs various businesses, including Unite me Single Parents Community Hub. She lives with stepdaughter Taylor, 12 years, twins Hunter and Jack, 3 years, Max 7 months and partner, Scott in the Hawkesbury Region of Sydney.

C4K: How did you come up with Unite me?

KS: My original inspiration for Unite me was a friend of mine. She was a single mother of two young daughters and was using dating sites to try to meet someone compatible, not only with herself, but also with her daughters. She was frustrated with the men that were contacting her and were not looking to be part of a family and the time and also with the cost of doing this.

As I researched more into this and spoke to both single mums and dads, I found that there was a lot more that Single Parents wanted and needed. Many were looking for friendships, many for relationships and most wanted expert information to assist them with parenting, health, relationships and other areas.

Along with offering a network hub for parents to seek either or both friendships and relationships, I wanted an open forum for parents to ask questions to other members, share experiences and get expert advice and information. I wanted to give parents affordable online stores that will offer Unite me parents discounts every time they shop.

The charities we support through our 'Putting Back into the Community Program' is inspired by personal circumstances. All of these charities have touched me over the years and it’s great to be able to help them.
continued…