Brisbane North Family Day Care carers are approved by the family day care scheme. Carers are recruited and trained by a central coordination unit. Individual carers are supported and monitored by the coordinators by unannounced regular visits to the home. This resourcing and back-up support provided by the coordination unit sets family day care apart from sole carers and nanny services. With access to continued learning and leading thinking in childcare, family day care carers have access to the most unique training structure within the childcare industry. The personal qualities of carers reflect community diversity – of families, values and cultures – empathy, warmth, compassion, flexibility, professionalism and maturity. A commitment to nurturing and caring for children is taken as a given. Many carers have their own children of varying ages – all have experience with children. A FAMILY DAY CARE CARER IS A PERSON WHO HAS: A desire to provide a nurturing home environment for children A desire to engage children and interact with them in a warm and friendly way A desire to support families and children in the settling-in process The ability to form ongoing partnerships with parents The ability to effectively communicate with coordination unit staff, parents, children and other Carers The ability to value diversity and to have respect for the child rearing and cultural norms of each family The ability to provide a safe, hygienic and healthy environment for children The ability to provide a variety of interesting experiences and equipment for children’s play and development The ability to guide children’s behaviour in positive ways A willingness to learn and develop new skills through a variety of professional development opportunities The ability to conduct their business professionally The ability to manage administrative tasks such as time sheets, receipts and excursion, medication forms etc (Family Day Care: Learning the Business E. McDermott © 2005)