As part of the Shoalhaven City Council Draft Delivery and Operational Plan and Draft Budget, Council is seeking feedback on the future of the Shoalhaven Family Day Care service.

Shoalhaven Family Day Care is a Council sponsored home-based early childhood education and care service that provides childcare in the homes of qualified educators. 

Council is seeking community input to help determine the future of the service as Federal funding for this service will cease from 1 July 2018. Currently the Federal Government provides the service with funding of approximately $136,000 per year to support the coordination of the service. Council also contributes to supporting the service with extra funding.

Shoalhaven Family Day Care provides care for approximately 300 children through 38 Educators. The service is coordinated by a team of Council employees. Educators are small business operators. Parents are charged a childcare fee to use the service. Educators and families also pay a levy which assists in supporting the coordination unit. The service has actively supported local families for over 35 years and is facing a withdrawal of Federal Government funding from July 2018.

Council is asking the community for feedback on the future of the Family Day Care Service  from 1 July 2018 when funding ceases.  This will affect all ratepayers regardless of whether you use Shoalhaven Family Day Care.  Ratepayers could be required to contribute further funding for the continuation of the service to ensure its sustainability.

Several options are available on how this service may operate in the future. To have your say visit the Council’s website at www.getinvolved.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au.