Family Daycare Begins Recruitment Drive

Published on 03 July 2026

A flexible, rewarding career that lets you work from home, set your own hours and earn an income while supporting local families is within reach for residents.

Southern Grampians Shire Council is encouraging locals to consider becoming Family Day Care educators, as part of a recruitment drive tackling the region’s critical childcare shortage.

Family Day Care is a regulated, home-based childcare service for children aged 0–12, offering high-quality early learning in a small, personalised setting. Educators operate their own business from home, choosing their hours, the families they work with, and the fees they charge.

With demand for childcare at an all-time high, the opportunity is both meaningful and financially rewarding.

Southern Grampians Shire Council Mayor Dennis Heslin said the model offers a very desirable combination of lifestyle and income potential.

“Our region faces serious childcare shortages. With places incredibly hard to secure, parents are often being forced to look outside the region or even reconsider their working situations,” Cr Heslin said. “That means there is genuine demand for people willing to step into this space. Not only are you starting a business, but you’re also providing a service the community needs.”

Unlike traditional employment, Family Day Care gives educators full control over how they work, with Council’s Family Daycare Coordination team supporting each step of the journey. Educators receive ongoing one-on-one guidance from a local coordinator, along with administrative support including bookings, payments, waitlists and government subsidy processing, removing much of the usual burden of running a small business.

“Our staff help guide you through the process so you can focus on what matters, caring for children and building strong, lasting relationships with families,” Cr Heslin said.

Getting started is more achievable than many people think. Provided they have a minimum of a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education, the right safety checks, and a suitable home environment, new educators can be up and running in as little as eight weeks.

Council also assists prospective educators in navigating training requirements and preparing their homes to meet regulatory standards.

“If you’ve ever thought about working for yourself, changing careers, or finding a role that fits around your own family, this is a wonderful option,” Cr Heslin said.

Residents interested in learning more, checking their eligibility, or exploring whether their home is suitable are encouraged to get in touch for a no-obligation chat. Visit Council’s website or call (03) 5571 0455 to find out more.

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