What are the pros and cons of family daycare?
Trying to work out which type of childcare suits your little one can feel overwhelming, especially when every option seems to have its own fans. If family day care is on your shortlist, it helps to see the advantages and the drawbacks side by side before you start visiting educators.
At a glance
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Small group with lots of one-on-one attention | Fewer children the same age to play with |
| One consistent educator who knows your child well | You may need back-up care when they're sick or on leave |
| A home-like setting that suits babies and toddlers | Less space and equipment than a centre |
| Flexible hours, including some overnight and weekend care | Places are limited and waitlists can be long |
| Often charged by the hour, with the Child Care Subsidy applying | Fees and quality vary from one educator to the next |
What is family day care?
Family day care is regulated early childhood education and care for a small group of children in an educator's own home. Every educator is registered with an approved family day care service, which monitors their practice and supports them with training and resources.
New family day care educators must hold an approved Certificate III or higher qualification before they start, and every educator must hold current first aid qualifications. Services operate under the National Quality Framework and deliver their program in line with the approved learning frameworks, including the Early Years Learning Framework. Our overview of family day care explains more about how it works.
How many children can a family day care educator look after?
A family day care educator can look after no more than seven children at a time, and no more than four of them can be preschool age or under. The educator's own children under 13 are included in that count if no other adult is there to care for them.
That small ratio is a big part of the appeal. Andrew Paterson, CEO of Family Day Care Australia, told a Victorian parliamentary inquiry in 2026 that "Family day care inherently benefits from small group settings and strong educator-child-parent relationships."
What are the advantages of family day care?
The main advantages of family day care are small groups and one consistent educator who gets to know your child well. Many educators also offer more flexible hours than centres.
- A home-like environment. Some children feel more relaxed in a home setting, especially babies and toddlers who are new to care.
- Small group sizes. With only a few children, your child gets more individual attention.
- Learning tailored to your child. Educators can shape activities around each child's interests and stage of development.
- Mixed age groups. Children learn from each other across different ages, and siblings can often stay together.
- Consistency. Seeing the same educator every day helps children feel secure and settled.
- Close relationships with families. Educators often get to know the whole family, which makes it easier to share what's happening at home.
- Flexible hours. Some educators offer early starts and late finishes, and a few provide overnight care.
- Child Care Subsidy. Approved family day care attracts the Child Care Subsidy, and many educators charge by the hour.
Educators say the relationships are what keep them in the job. Taylah Freeman, a family day care educator in Toowoomba, says "Family day care allows you to form genuine connections with children and families." For parents who work shifts, the hours can be the deciding factor.
What are the disadvantages of family day care?
The main disadvantages of family day care are the need for back-up care when your educator is away and fewer resources than a large centre. It can also be harder to find a place in some areas.
- Back-up care. If your educator is sick or on leave, you may need alternative care. Ask whether the service can arrange a relief educator.
- Fewer facilities. A home usually has less space and equipment than a purpose-built centre.
- Fewer same-age friends. Some children love a small group, while others enjoy the buzz of a room full of kids their own age.
- A less formal program. Educators follow the approved learning frameworks, but the day may feel less structured than in a centre.
- Quality varies. As with any care, quality depends on the individual educator, so check the service's NQS rating.
- Limited availability. With only a few places per educator, waitlists can be long.
Availability is a growing concern. A 2026 Deakin University study found the number of children enrolled in family day care fell from more than 180,000 in 2016 to 55,000 in 2024. Lead researcher Professor Andrea Nolan says the work is often misunderstood. "Family day care is not just babysitting."
Is family day care right for your child?
Family day care is a great fit for children who thrive in a small, calm group and for families who need flexible hours. If your child loves lots of activity, or you need guaranteed cover every working day, a centre may suit you better.
Our comparison of family day care and long day care can help you weigh the two up. When you visit an educator, take our family day care checklist along, and check our guide to the cost of family day care to budget ahead.
When you're ready to start looking, our family day care search lets you find and compare services near you.
Search childcare near you.
FAQs
What happens if my family day care educator is sick?
If your family day care educator is sick, the service may be able to offer care with another registered educator, but this isn't always possible. Ask about back-up arrangements before you enrol, and have a family member or friend on standby.
Do you pay family day care fees on public holidays?
Whether you pay family day care fees on public holidays depends on the educator's fee policy. Many educators set their own rules for holidays and absences, so ask for the fee schedule in writing before you sign up.
Is family day care safe?
Family day care is regulated under the same National Quality Framework as centres, and each educator is monitored by an approved service. Checking the service's NQS rating and visiting the home in person are the best ways to feel confident about safety.
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