By BRIDGET COOK
A TRIAL is being conducted in Casey aimed at giving emergency services workers access to childcare outside of standard hours.
Family Day Care Australia is urging front line emergency response workers in Casey to take part in their flexibility trials.
The Australian Government initiative aims to connect police officers with flexible childcare that meets their needs, outside of standard day care hours available to them.
Lyndhurst family day care educator Christina Joyce is taking part in the trials and is available to work around the shifts of police families in the Casey area and take care of their children at short notice.
She had worked as a childcare professional for years before moving into family day care four months ago, following the birth of her first child, daughter Farrah.
“I wanted to help out other families who needed care and flexibility in a calming and family-orientated, home environment,” she said.
“The parents know they can drop their child off any time outside of the normal 6am to 6pm hours offered by other childcare services,” she said.
“My family day care is available 24-7 if they need it – all they have to do is call.”
The research and monitoring of the trials, at nine selected sites around the country, will cease in September but family day care will continue to offer flexible care arrangements beyond this date.
Following the trials, Family Day Care Australia will report to the Australian Government on the project’s outcomes and provide advice of what may be required to support a sustainable model of flexible service provision.
Family Day Care Australia chief executive Carla Northam said gone were the days of the standard ‘nine to five’ working hours.
“The Australian workforce is changing and more and more parents are seeking late night, overnight or weekend care,” she said.
“The family day care sector is well-placed to provide flexible childcare options to shift workers.
“Educators provide flexible care arrangements in a safe, secure and stimulating environment and are able to be responsive to families’ needs.”
Families working in the Victoria Police service who are interested in accessing flexible childcare are encouraged to contact Family Day Care Australia at flexibility@fdca.com.au
