Become an Educator

Are you qualified?

If you have worked in any Childcare organisation in Australia you are qualified for Family Day Care.

All Family Day Care Educators must hold an ACECQA approved qualification in Early Childhood Education and Care.  You can search your qualification in the ACECQA list here.

You can ask ACECQA to assess your overseas qualifications to see if they are equivalent. 

In addition to an early childhood qualification you must have valid up to date first aid.  This includes HLTAID012 Apply first aid in an education and care setting every 3 years plus the HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation every 12 months.

Why Family Day Care?

Centrebased educators tell us they are sick of the ‘conveyor belt’ industry and hate ‘being just another number’ to meet ratios whilst ‘warehousing children’ so their bosses can buy the latest sports car.

 

"It feels like a factory. Get them in, feed them, wipe them, sleep them, get them out. There is zero time for genuine connection. I feel like a glorified babysitter or a crowd controller, not an educator. My soul is dying a little bit every shift." 

"I didn't become an educator to ignore distressed children, but the system gives me no choice.’ Fatemeh -  FDC Educator

‘When you leave the 'Crowd Control' of the center for the Micro-Ecosystem of FDC, you aren't just saving your career—you're ending the parent’s drop-off trauma. In your FDC of 4 children, you can physically be there for the child that a center educator is forced to step over. Your professional redemption is the parent's emotional relief.’  Ujjval Goble, Director Ignite Minds.

If a toxic management culture that puts profit over care is turning you away from working in an industry you love - talk to us about how we can support you to grow your family day care without compromising your values.

Escape the poverty Trap

Early Childhood educators are highly empathetic and community minded making you vulnerable to directors with their fake positivity and conveyor belt mindsets. 

‘I remember using my own debit card to buy glitter and crayons because the center 'had no budget.' I was an educated professional, begging for glue sticks, while the Director drove a brand new SUV’

It goes to the CEO's bonus. It goes to the Area Manager's BMW... By the time the money trickles down to the floor... there's only crumbs left. That's why you get $26 an hour.

Be your own boss.

"I want to set my own hours, choose my own programming... and not have to ask permission to sit down." 

Parents' biggest fear is high staff turnover—seeing a new 'casual' every week who doesn't know their child. As an Ignite Minds educator, you are not a 'Float.' You are the owner, the constant, and the curriculum expert. Your autonomy guarantees the child a stable, low-ratio environment where they are a known person, not 'just a number' on a roster."

Family Day Care Educators are contractors working on an ABN.  This means they are responsible for making all the decisions around the running of their business without compromise.  Educators are responsible for their own tax, Superannuation and expenses.

Ignite Minds does not set Educator fees. Fees are subject to market conditions.  You can view all educators fees or by postcode on our Service Finder page.  The below is based on $15 per hour

Example Income
 

Daily

Annually 

Non School Aged Child 1 8am till 6pm

$150

(x 48 weeks accounting for leave)

Non School Aged Child 2 8am till 6pm

$150

Non School Aged Child 2 8am till 6pm

$150

Non School Aged Child 2 8am till 6pm

$150

Total

$600

$144,000.00

Example Cost of Sale

Admin levi ($2.48 per hour in 2025/26 pegged to CPI)

$99.20

  

Superannuation (self employed people have a lot of discretion up to  $115 per day)

$25

Meals

$30

Resources/maintenance

$10

Total

$164.20

Example Income before tax and expenses

$435.8

$104,592.00

Expenses

All Business owners need to talk to their accountant about their specific situations and deductions.  A portion of the below expenses that relates to the running of the business can be claimed prior to arriving at your taxable income.


  • Portion of rent
  • Portion of utilities (gas, electricity, phone, internet)
  • Portion of maintenance (gardening, lawns, fridge, microwave, kitchen)
  • Portion of vehicle expenses
  • Training and development costs

Taxable income varies depending on the expenses claimed

What is the ratio of children in Family Day Care?

The 'Warehouse Model' is a Petri Dish that leaves both staff and children constantly sick. Your Family Day Care home is the antidote. Your home is a Low-Germ, High-Sanity option. When you are rested and healthy, the children in your care are, too. You are escaping the sickness, and in doing so, you are solving the parent's most stressful financial and health crisis: constantly having to take sick leave.

  • FDC educators can look after a maximum of 7 children providing that no more than 4 are below school age.  
  • School Aged children typically attend between 7am and 9am and 3pm and 6pm (5 hours per day)
  • Non school aged children typically attend between 8am and 6pm (10 hours per day)
  • FDC can have flexible hours to support shift workers such as food processing, doctors, nurses and emergency services.
  • FDC Educators that have both School aged and Non-School aged children will typically employ an assistant to assist with taxi to and from school.

See REG 124 Family Day Care Ratio

See REG 144 Family Day Care Assistant

Is my Home Suitable?

We do not allow FDC to be run in highrise apartments.  All persons residing in the home over 18 must pass a police check and Working With Children’s check.

Your home must have the following features:

Indoors

  • Sleep /rest facilities
  • Nappie changing /toileting facilities
  • Art and craft facilities
  • Open ended play space with age appropriate toys and resources
  • Be clean and hygienic

Outdoors

  • Secure fencing that cannot be climbed from the inside
  • Secure gates with a lock
  • Shade from the sun
  • Shelter from the rain
  • Age appropriate facilities and equipment (sandpit, swings, cubbies, veggie garden, pets, etc)

What are the steps to becoming an Educator with Ignite Minds?

STEP 1

Email us your application including 

  1. Resume 
  2. Two references that can talk to your performance and conduct in Early Childhood education.  We will explicitly be asking about your Child Safe practices
  3. Copies of your Early Childhood Qualification and First Aid qualification for verification.

STEP 2

Attend an interview that is either online or in person.  Questions will include:

  • Why do you want to work in FDC?
  • What is your understanding of the Early Years Learning Framework?
  • What is your approach to planning and documenting learning?
  • What is your understanding of the Child Safe standards?

You will also be given a number of scenarios designed to assess your understanding and competence. We choose to work with motivated and inspired people!

 

STEP 3

You will be provided with access to our online Educator Portal.  In this portal you will need to complete the following:

  • Upload your certificates, licenses and insurances
  • Confirm your household residents and relevant police clearances
  • Complete a checklist and photo upload for all the parts of your residence accessible to children.
  • Complete online induction training.

STEP 4

 

Ignite Minds will attend on site and complete the home safety assessment process noting any approvals or sections requiring modifications or updates.

 

Following the successful completion of the above 4 steps your profile will be added to our website and you will be approved to accept enrolments.

 

Ignite Minds will conduct un announced spot checks at least monthly.  We are available for additional support by appointment.

Are you the right person?

Stop being a cog in the Industrialized Warehouse Model. Become a respected, well-paid business owner in the Micro-Educator Ecosystem. Escape the ratio trap, keep the profit you create, and finally reconnect with the passion that made you an educator.

The right applicant will demonstrate a genuine desire to establish a career in the Child Care industry and:

  • Be reliable and honest
  • Be well spoken and well presented
  • Be caring and nurturing by nature and have domestic and creative skills
  • Have a suitable home environment that caters to both indoor and outdoor play.

If you are hardworking with a positive, friendly, and enthusiastic outlook on life then we want to hear from you! Please send your resume through to info@igniteminds.com.au

Applicants must have full working rights in Australia and be willing to undertake Victorian Police Check, a Working with children's check, Current First Aid and Anaphylaxis Training as well as Early Childhood qualifications.