Family Day Care Workforce Development - Community Services ...

Family Day Care Workforce DevelopmentResearch Project Final Report, June 2011Recommendations and ActionsTo support growth and development of the FDC workforce, this report has a number ofrecommendations. The recommendations and actions cover the development of newqualifications, units of competency, skill clusters and skill sets as well as changes to existingqualifications. The recommendations cover the following areas:Recommendation Area OneRecommendation Area TwoRecommendation Area ThreeOptions for better recognising skills and developingpathways within the CHC08 Training PackageEffective Promotion of FDC SectorAccess to Funding and Support for Training andAssessmentRecommendation Area One: Options for better recognising skills and developing pathwayswithin the CHC08 Training PackageAs a means to promote the FDC sector as a viable career choice as well as to provide jobenrichment opportunities for existing workers, the following options are recommended foraddition to the CHC08 Training Package. If agreed to they would be developed in line with theTraining Package Development and Endorsement Process 2 .Draft Certificate IV in Family Day Care WorkThe research identified that a Certificate IV level qualification would more accurately representthe work being undertaken by FDC educators rather than the existing Certificate III in Children’sServices qualification.This new qualification would be designed specifically to describe the work of the FDC educatorand would include three areas of work specific to FDC educators:1. Compliance and regulatory work2. Education and care – including early childhood development3. Small business operationsAdvanced Diploma of Children’s ServicesThe research indicated that the Advanced Diploma of Children’s Services more accurately reflectsthe work of scheme staff rather than the Diploma of Children’s Services.Family Day Care Unit Coordinator – Elective Skills ClusterThe role of the unit coordinator ideally requires skills in mentoring and/or coaching, leadership,training and assessment, monitoring regulatory compliance as well as having a specific focus onpromoting and engaging in all aspects of childhood development.In order to meet the needs of the FDC sector it is recommended that a FDC elective skills clusterbe added to the existing Advanced Diploma of Children’s Services. This could include thefollowing mix of units:2http://www.deewr.gov.au/skills/overview/policy/tpdep/Pages/TPDEndorsementProcess.aspxCommunity Services and Health Industry Skills Council: www.cshisc.com.auXII