A timely call for valued investment in our sector's foundation
Recent international research reinforces what we've long known in Queensland: Family Day Care educators are the unsung heroes of our early childhood education and care system. A compelling American opinion piece by Jessica Sager (Zero2Eight, 10 June, https://www.the74million.org/zero2eight/want-a-sustainable-child-care-system-invest-in-family-child-care-educators/) highlights the resilience and dedication of home-based child care providers, mirroring our own experiences here in Queensland, whilst two significant Australian developments present both opportunities and challenges for our sector.
The universal truth: FDC educators excel under pressure
The Ms Sager piece highlights how family child care providers across the United States demonstrated remarkable adaptability during the pandemic, keeping their doors open when larger centres closed, implementing rigorous health protocols in small spaces, and creating innovative learning environments. This resilience isn't unique to America—Australia, and particularly Queensland's FDC educators have consistently shown the same dedication, flexibility, and innovation that makes our sector irreplaceable, in a geographically vast, dispersed and diverse landscape.
What sets Family Day Care apart globally is our ability to provide bespoke, culturally responsive care. Unlike centre-based services, FDC educators can adapt their programs to individual children's needs, family circumstances, and community contexts in ways that larger services simply cannot match.
Recognition at last
Two significant developments in Australia present a watershed moment for recognising the true value of our workforce.
Fair Work Commission's Gender-Based Undervaluation Review
The Fair Work Commission's recent decision acknowledges that classifications in the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award have been subject to gender-based undervaluation. This historic finding validates what we've advocated for years: care work, predominantly performed by women, has been systematically undervalued.
The Commission proposes a single, simplified classification structure based on the 'Caring Skills' benchmark rate for Certificate III-qualified employees. For Queensland's FDC sector, this represents potential significant wage improvements and, crucially, formal recognition of the professional skills our educators bring to their roles.
Child Safety Review
The Australian Government's National Child Safety Review presents both challenges and opportunities for Family Day Care. The review proposes mandatory child safety training, enhanced Working with Children Check requirements, and specific provisions addressing Family Day Care physical environment assessments.
Whilst some may view these as additional compliance burdens, they actually represent an opportunity to demonstrate FDC's commitment to excellence. The review acknowledges FDC's unique operating environment, with specific provisions for digital device management and residence assessments that recognise our home-based nature.
Why Family Day Care must be treated differently
The beauty of Family Day Care lies in its inherent flexibility and personalised approach. Home-based providers can offer flexible, culturally responsive care, particularly in neighbourhoods where options are limited, and especially for families working nontraditional hours. This isn't just about convenience—it's about accessibility and inclusion.
Unlike long day care centres, FDC educators:
- Provide care in home-like environments that support emotional wellbeing
- Offer mixed-age groupings that mirror natural family structures
- Adapt programs to individual children's developmental needs and cultural backgrounds
- Maintain smaller group sizes, enabling deeper relationships
- Provide flexibility for families working irregular hours or in regional areas
The path forward demands investment, not just regulation
Both the Fair Work Commission's decision and the Child Safety Review send a clear message: it's time to invest properly in our early childhood education and care workforce. However, this investment must recognise Family Day Care's unique contribution rather than treating us as a subset of centre-based care.
For Queensland's FDC sector, this means:
- Professional recognition through wage increases that reflect the complex skills FDC educators demonstrate daily
- Tailored support with training and resources designed specifically for home-based environments
- Sustainable funding recognising that quality care requires adequate compensation for educators
- Regulatory flexibility built from policies that work with, not against, FDC's inherent flexibility
The bottom line
If we want a child care system that is truly responsive, equitable and sustainable, we need to invest in the people who are already doing the work, with unfailing dedication. Queensland's Family Day Care educators aren't just providing child care—they're building community wealth, supporting local economies, and creating the foundation for children's lifelong learning.
As both the Fair Work Commission and the Child Safety Review reshape our sector's landscape, we must ensure Family Day Care isn't just included in these conversations—we must be central to them. Our educators deserve recognition not as an afterthought to centre-based care, but as the skilled professionals they are: Queensland's hidden heroes who deserve nothing less than our sector's full support.
The time for valuing Family Day Care's unique contribution isn't tomorrow—it's today.
