SINCE 1991, Boonah, Warwick & Districts Family Day Care has been offering parents a small group, education and care option for their children in a home environment.

It’s a thirty year milestone worthy of a celebration says coordinator Rachel Moffatt.

Rachel, with the help of Educational Leader Arielle Oppermann and the group’s Management Committee, led by Colleen Mitchell, have organised a ‘Morning in the Park’ event for past and present educators, committee members and parents.

“On Saturday, October 30, we’re hoping anyone involved with Boonah, Warwick & Districts Family Day Care, past and present, will join us at Springleigh Park for a free sausage sizzle and activities for the children including a jumping castle,” Rachel invited.

“We want to acknowledge everyone who has made our service possible and has helped our not-for-profit organisation grow.”

And grow it has since the late Joie Dwyer first mooted the need for the service more than 30 years ago.

“In recent years, we have expanded the service into other areas in the Scenic Rim and into Warwick and outer districts and I believe what we offer parents, and our educators, is even more vital than it was thirty years ago as a lot has changed over the years,” Rachel said.

“When Mrs Dwyer led the way to the formation of Boonah & District Family Day Care there were no childcare centres nor formal after school care for children.

“She saw the need in the Boonah community to provide a service that would enable parents to go to work and know that their children were being cared for in a home and family environment.” We currently have 15 Educators operating in the Scenic rim & Warwick areas & we need more.

Despite the success of the service, Rachel said there were still people in the community who didn’t understand how it operated.

“Often people will call into our office in Church Street in Boonah to ask us “where all the children are & what is family day care?”.

“And we are more than happy to explain that our office houses the administration of the not-for-profit group. The children are in the homes of our trained Educators.

“And those Educators are another win for the areas in which they are located.

“Our Educators run their own businesses under the guidance and support of our Coordination unit.”

The essence of the Family Day Care service is having small groups of children cared for by qualified Educators in their own homes

“The Educators are required to do training courses and have qualifications in early childcare, they go through a registration process and once approved they are able to provide care and have ongoing support by the coordination team.

“Care fees are all subsidised for families if they are eligible through Centrelink.”

And the number of children an Educator can care for at any one time is also strictly regulated.

“Educators work with no more than four children under school age at any one time and children up to 12 years of age are cared for,” Rachel said.

“And our coordination team visit the homes of the Educators regularly to monitor the children are happy & receiving quality care and to offer support to our wonderful Educators.”

The coordination team and the Management Committee are proud of the achievements of the Boonah, Warwick & Districts Family Day Care.

“It is a privilege to be able to work locally in our wonderful community,” Rachel said.

“I love getting out and about visiting the Educators, and especially the children.

“We operate as one big happy family.

“Our Educators are truly the best and the majority of our Educators have been operating for years, one of our Scenic Rim Educators Jeanette Sjerp, celebrated her 20th year with our service in 2021.”

She also applauded the work of the Management Committee.

“Our committee members are amazing and we work closely together to ensure our service will continue for many years to come.

“Our committee president Colleen Mitchell has given 20 years to our service as an Educator and committee member.

“Since retiring as an educator a few years ago she couldn’t let go as she loves it so much and has dedicated her time since volunteering as the President she has done so much for our service & we can’t thank her enough, especially supporting me personally in my role,” Rachel said.

Many members of the community have supported the service during the last 30 years.

“We have had many people in the community give their time on our committee over the years ensuring we can provide care for children in our communities and also jobs and support for our families.

“We thank everyone for their support and help … and here’s to another 30 years.”

• The service is currently seeking more Educators in all areas and have families on a waiting list so anyone interested in learning more is asked to contact the Boonah office on 54 632 828.