FINDING care for your children while you work can be difficult and large centres don’t always suit individual family needs.

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Family Day Care is an alternative to traditional child care centres.

Family Day Care is a small group education and care environment, where educators operate from their own home.

The model is great for educators because they can tailor their hours to suit their lifestyle.

Karyn Powter, Port Stephens Council’s Family Day Care Managing Coordinator told News Of The Area, “There is a huge need for more day care providers in Port Stephens, particularly for before and after school care and for the 0-5 age group.”

There is particular need for carers in Salamander Bay, Anna Bay and Medowie with people seeking placements for their children, where there are no, or limited spaces available to suit their commitments.

“There are opportunities for educators in any area of Port Stephens,” she said.

Family Day Care has been operating in Port Stephens for over 25 years and supports approximately 90 educators in providing personalised, professional education and care to children aged from birth to 12 years in a safe home environment.

Port Stephens Council is currently recruiting educators who are qualified or working towards their qualification to join the team.

Emily Tisdell had been working in the childcare sector for two years before taking on the positive challenge of opening her own Family Day Care Centre, Em’s Wiggles and Giggles Family Day Care.

Emily Tisdell told News Of The Area, “I have always wanted to be an early childhood educator.”

She believes that children in Family Day care have care equal to that provided in childcare centres.

“However the bond created between the educator and the child, and the educator and the family is much closer,” she said.

Anyone interested in considering a career as a Family Day Care provider should contact Port Stephens Council.

By Marian SAMPSON