To be a family day care educator you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have, or be actively working towards, at least an approved certificate III level education and care qualification
• Have a current working with children check
• Have current criminal history record check
• Have Working with Children’s Check for all household members aged 18 years and over.
• Hold a current approved first aid qualification
• Have undertaken current approved asthma and anaphylaxis management training
• Hold insurance against public liability with a minimum cover of $10,000,000.
• Be willing to follow the practices outlined in the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)
• Be willing to undertake ongoing Professional Development
• Be Willing to adhere to all Little tinkers Family Day Care Policies
• Have Ability to relate well to others and develop trusting relationships with children and parents
• Be Willing to Promote Child Safety, Comply with Child Safe Standards  to ensure that the safety of children is promoted, child abuse is prevented, and allegations of child abuse are properly responded to. 
• Meet Obligations and Responsibilities under the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 (National Law) and Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011 (National Regulations).

Family day care ratio requirements
1:7 educator to child ratio
Maximum of four children preschool age or under.
Ratio includes the educator’s own children younger than 13 years of age if there is no other adult to care for them.

Yes! You can start a family day care but you will require written consent from your landlord.

Family day care can take anywhere between one week to 6 months to start depending upon meeting the eligibility criteria.

The cost of setting up your Family Day Care van vary from educator to educator, but it will be minimal compared with the cost of setting up most businesses. You can also start with all the mandatory requirements and add the resources as you have more business.
You will need to consider the following:
Cost of obtaining a Qualification (Cert III in Children’s Services):
Costs associated with making the home safe e.g. child safe locks, glass, repairs : Please refer Ready Set SAFE for more details.
Cost of obtaining a First Aid Certificate, Asthma and Anaphylaxis Training
Cost of acquiring a working with children check for yourself and all adults who reside at the premises
Cost of Insurance
Cost of learning and Play equipments necessary to undertake the role. Examples: Books, toys, outdoor equipments, First aid kits, cots and pram.
Cost of business-related equipments: operating computer/laptop, Internet connection and software

Earnings vary from educator to educator and are dependent upon area, working hours etc. Some educators make up to $100,000/year.

Much of the initial work can be completed while you still work at another job. Many educators keep working at their current job until shortly before their opening date.