For Families

Find care that feels right for your child

Malaika Garden helps families connect with approved Family Day Care educators who provide safe, nurturing and responsive care from welcoming home environments. We take time to understand your family, your child and the care arrangement you are looking for.

Start a Care Enquiry See How Matching Works

A welcoming conversation between a Family Day Care educator and a family

Smaller groups More opportunity for individual attention and familiar relationships.

Home-based care A warm setting where children can settle into comfortable routines.

Personalised matching Care options considered around your child, schedule and location.

Is Family Day Care Right for Your Family?

Family Day Care can suit families looking for a smaller and more personal care environment. Children are supported by a consistent educator while participating in play, routines and everyday learning experiences within an approved home setting.

01

Smaller care groups

Smaller groups can allow children to receive closer attention and build secure, familiar relationships with their educator.

02

A home-like environment

Children experience care in a welcoming setting with familiar routines, shared meals, play spaces and everyday activities.

03

Individual understanding

Educators can become familiar with each child’s interests, personality, routines, strengths and developmental needs.

04

Closer family communication

Families communicate directly with the educator caring for their child and receive information about daily experiences and progress.

Not sure whether Family Day Care is suitable? Our team can discuss your circumstances and explain the available care options without placing you under any obligation.

Care Options

Family Day Care arrangements can vary depending on educator availability, operating hours and your family’s needs. Tell us what you are looking for and we will identify the most appropriate available options.

Regular care

Part-time or full-time care

Regular weekly care arrangements for families requiring consistent days and hours throughout the working week.

School-aged children

Before and after school care

Care outside school hours may be available with selected educators, including arrangements connected with local schools.

School holidays

Vacation care

Care may be available during school holiday periods for children who need a safe, engaging and familiar place throughout the day.

Flexible arrangements

Occasional or urgent care

Short-term, occasional or urgent care may be considered where a suitable educator has capacity and the required enrolment process can be completed.

Care types, operating hours, vacancies and age groups differ between educators. Availability is confirmed during the matching process.

How We Help You Find an Educator

Finding care should feel clear and manageable. Our team guides you through each stage, from understanding your needs to preparing your child to begin care.

1

Tell us what you need

Share your child’s age, location, preferred days, hours and desired commencement date.

2

We understand your priorities

We discuss routines, care preferences, additional needs and what matters most to your family.

3

We review available educators

Our team considers location, vacancies, operating hours and the suitability of available care arrangements.

4

You meet the educator

Where a potential match is available, you can speak with the educator, visit the care setting and ask questions.

5

Enrolment and commencement

Once everyone is comfortable, the required information is completed and a suitable commencement plan is agreed.

You remain involved in the decision. A proposed match is an opportunity to explore suitability, not an obligation to accept the placement.

A Family Day Care educator supporting children during a learning activity

The care experience

What Your Child Can Expect

Every educator and care environment is different, but children should experience care that is welcoming, responsive and appropriate to their individual stage of development.

A warm welcome

Time and support to become familiar with the educator, environment, children and daily routine.

Secure relationships

Consistent care from an educator who learns to understand your child’s communication, interests and needs.

Play-based learning

Opportunities to explore, create, move, communicate, solve problems and learn through everyday experiences.

Respect for individual routines

Consideration of sleep, meals, comfort, toileting and other routines appropriate to your child’s age and needs.

Inclusive participation

A welcoming environment where identity, culture, language, abilities and family circumstances are treated with respect.

Communication with family

Information about your child’s day, experiences, wellbeing and emerging development.

Children settle in different ways. Families and educators work together to plan a commencement process that supports the child’s comfort and sense of security.

Information We Need From Families

You do not need every enrolment document before making an initial enquiry. We begin with basic information about the care you need and request the remaining details once a suitable arrangement is being considered.

Initial enquiry

To help us look for care

Your child’s name and age
Your suburb or preferred care location
The days and hours of care required
Your preferred commencement date
Whether care is regular, occasional or school-related
Any important routines, support needs or care preferences
Your best contact details and preferred communication method

Before care begins

To complete enrolment safely

Parent or guardian and emergency contact information
Medical, allergy and health management information
Immunisation information where required
Authorisations relating to collection, activities and emergencies
Information about medication or additional support arrangements
Relevant parenting, custody or court documents where applicable
Any other information needed to support safe and appropriate care

The service will explain which information is required, why it is needed and when it should be provided. Personal information should only be submitted through the approved service process.

Begin Your Enquiry

Frequently Asked Questions

These answers provide general guidance. Specific arrangements depend on the educator, available vacancies and your child’s individual care requirements.

What ages can Family Day Care support?

Age groups vary between educators. Depending on the care setting and vacancy, care may be available for young children and school-aged children.

How long will it take to find care?

The timeframe depends on your location, required days and hours, your child’s age and current educator vacancies. The service will explain whether an immediate option is available.

Can I meet the educator before accepting care?

Yes. Families should have an opportunity to speak with the proposed educator, visit the care environment and ask questions before deciding whether the arrangement is suitable.

Can I choose which educator cares for my child?

The service can introduce you to an available educator who appears suitable for your needs. The decision to proceed should be made after you have considered the proposed arrangement.

What happens if there is no suitable vacancy?

The team will advise you if no current match is available. Where appropriate, your enquiry may be retained while suitable vacancies are explored.

Can educators support children with additional needs?

Families should provide clear information about their child’s needs. The service and educator can then consider whether the care environment, experience and available support are appropriate.

How will I receive updates about my child?

Communication arrangements vary, but may include conversations at arrival and collection, written updates, photographs or information shared through an approved service platform.

How are fees confirmed?

Fees, payment arrangements and any applicable charges are explained before enrolment. They may vary depending on the educator, care hours and type of arrangement.

Tell us what your family needs

Share a few details about your child, your location and the care arrangement you are looking for. Our team will review your enquiry, explain the available options and guide you through the next step.

Start your care enquiry

You do not need to have every detail or document ready. Begin with your preferred days, hours, location and commencement date.

Enquire About Care

Making an enquiry does not commit you to a placement. Any proposed care arrangement remains subject to availability, suitability and completed enrolment requirements.