Queensland shines at the 2025 Excellence in Family Day Care Awards

We are delighted to celebrate a proud moment for Queensland’s home-based early childhood education and care (ECEC) community. Three outstanding members of Family Day Care Queensland (FDCQ)—each representing one category in the national awards—were named national finalists in the Family Day Care Australia (FDCA) 2025 Excellence in Family Day Care Awards.

Educator of the Year finalist: Christina Jane (Choices FDC)
Coordinator of the Year finalist: Christina Lee (We Belong FDC)
Service of the Year finalist: We Belong FDC

We are thrilled to announce that Christina Lee from We Belong FDC was crowned the national winner in the Coordinator of the Year category. This is a remarkable achievement and a well-deserved recognition of her dedication and professionalism.

Why this matters

The Excellence in Family Day Care Awards are the only national awards program in Australia dedicated specifically to home-based family day care. They shine a spotlight on the educators, coordinators and services who go above and beyond in delivering quality early learning and care. Family Day Care Australia, with the support of generous sector sponsors, have been running these awards for 14 years.
This year’s program reflects the sector’s ongoing commitment to quality, innovation and the safeguarding of children, especially at a time when families, regulators and the public are rightly focused on ensuring safe, nurturing, high-quality learning environments.

The vital role of the coordinator

The coordinator role is absolutely essential in the family day care sector. Simply put, a coordinator supports the educators, monitors and guides quality practices, links the service with families, and ensures operations comply with the national standards.
In more detail, coordinators:

assist educators with curriculum planning, program design, home visits and reflective practice.
ensure homes meet safety, regulatory and educational frameworks (such as the Early Years Learning Framework and the My Time Our Place).
build strong partnerships with families and educators to create inclusive and engaging learning environments.

By recognising a Coordinator of the Year, the sector celebrates this critical leadership role, which often works quietly but makes a huge difference to children’s outcomes and service viability. FDCQ applauds Ms Lee’s win and thanks We Belong FDC for fostering excellence within their service ranks.

Congratulations to Queensland finalists

Huge congratulations to Christina Jane (Choices FDC) and the We Belong FDC service for their national finalist status. Having members shortlisted across all three categories in Queensland/NT is a fantastic achievement and reflects the strength, innovation and commitment of our home-based care sector here.
And of course, a special congratulations again to Christina Lee for leading the way. Your dedication raises the bar for all of us.

A message for all providers and educators

To all FDCQ members — and to all educators, coordinators and services striving each day for excellence — your work matters. FDCA’s Excellence in Family Day Care Awards outcome reminds us that quality early learning and care in a family-based setting is a valued and vital part of the broader ECEC sector. As the country continues to focus on early childhood safeguarding, quality and service choice, your professionalism, responsiveness and relationship-centred practice stand out.

Thank you for all you do for children and families. Let’s keep pushing, innovating and championing family day care as a safe, flexible, high-quality alternative for families in Queensland and beyond.

FDCQ submits comprehensive response to National Child Safety Review

Family Day Care Queensland advocates for sector-specific solutions in landmark regulatory consultation

Family Day Care Queensland (FDCQ) has successfully submitted a comprehensive 13-page response to the National Child Safety Review Consultation Regulation Impact Statement, representing the collective voice of Queensland's Family Day Care sector in this critical national policy process.

The submission, developed through extensive consultation with Queensland FDC service providers, coordinators, staff, and educators, addresses six key reform areas that could significantly impact home-based early childhood education and care operations from 2025 onwards.

Sector-led advocacy for practical solutions

FDCQ's response emphasises the unique context of Family Day Care services and advocates for regulatory approaches that enhance child safety while acknowledging the operational realities of home-based education and care delivery.

"Our submission reflects the professional expertise and real-world experience of Queensland's Family Day Care community," said Stella Conroy, FDCQ CEO. "Through extensive consultation, we've been able to present evidence-based arguments for sensible regulation that strengthens child safety without compromising the sustainability of Family Day Care services."

Key FDCQ advocacy positions

1. Digital device management

FDCQ supports either no change to current legislation or a change that recognises personal device use in conjunction with robust risk-management policies. This position recognises that FDC educators often operate as small businesses requiring personal devices for emergency communication, family contact, and business operations.

2. Mandatory Child Safety training

The organisation strongly supports nationally consistent mandatory child safety training with government funding provisions, ensuring accessibility for rural and remote educators while maintaining training relevance to home-based care contexts.

3. Educator conduct regulations

FDCQ advocates for expanded inappropriate conduct provisions with clear safeguards protecting educators from false accusations—particularly important given the isolated working environment of Family Day Care.

4. Working With Children Checks

Supporting national consistency in WWCC requirements, FDCQ advocates for approved checks before commencing roles and mandatory notification of status changes across all jurisdictions.

5. Physical environment safety

The organisation supports a balanced approach that removes long-term service waivers while retaining emergency temporary waivers, acknowledging the diverse settings where Family Day Care operates, particularly in rural and remote communities.

6. Property access provisions

FDCQ supports expanded authorised officer access in specific circumstances, coupled with clear guidance protecting educator privacy and defining appropriate boundaries for inspections.

National sector alignment strengthens advocacy

FDCQ's submission aligns closely with the national response from Family Day Care Australia, demonstrating unified sector advocacy across state and territory boundaries. This coordination significantly strengthens the collective voice of Family Day Care in national policy discussions.

Key areas of alignment include recognition that FDC requires tailored regulatory approaches, support for practical implementation acknowledging home-based care realities, advocacy for appropriate government support for new requirements, and emphasis on risk management over rigid restrictions.

Implementation timeline and next steps

The consultation period concluded on June 11, 2025, with government analysis expected to continue through August 2025. The Decision Regulation Impact Statement, containing final policy decisions and implementation timelines, is anticipated for release in September 2025.

FDCQ will continue monitoring the policy development process and providing members with regular updates as implementation approaches. The organisation remains committed to supporting services through any regulatory transitions while advocating for practical, sustainable approaches to enhanced child safety.

Supporting Family Day Care excellence

As Queensland's peak representative body for Family Day Care and In Home Care services, FDCQ has advocated for the sector for over 40 years. The organisation's mission to lead, promote, and grow exceptional home-based quality education and care services guides its approach to policy advocacy and member support.

"This submission demonstrates our sector's commitment to both child safety and professional excellence," added Conroy. "Family Day Care educators and service providers consistently show their dedication to providing safe, high-quality education and care in home-based environments, and our advocacy ensures their expertise informs national policy decisions."

Resources and Further Information

Access FDCQ's full submission: Download PDF
Review the national FDCA submission: Read FDCA submission
Original consultation materials: CSR consultation website