In Home Care

What is In Home Care?
In Home Care is a form of child care, that eligible families can access, where children can be cared for in the familiar environment of their own home by an approved carer.

YMCA In-Home Care schemes offer the co-ordination of quality child care provided within the child’s own home, with priority given to the dignity and rights of the child at all times.

In Home Care is funded by the Department of Family and Community Services and is available Australia wide. Gold Coast YMCA In Home Care has been operating since May 2001. We have 75 places approved for Queensland and 25 places approved for Northern New South Wales. We currently offer care to families living on the Gold Coast, South Brisbane and Tweed areas.

Non-discriminatory access will be given to all families in the community who will be encouraged to take part in the management and development of the scheme's policies and procedures. Open channels of communication will be extended to all participants in the scheme. In-home care will be offered only to families who meet the criteria set down by the funding body Department of Family and Community Services.

How does it work?
The In-Home Care co-ordinator will come to your home to ascertain your needs and to offer recommendations to ensure a safe environment for both children and the Carer.

If you are eligible for In-Home Care, you will sign an agreement clearly outlining the care requirements and responsibilities of YMCA In-Home Care, the Carer and the family. The YMCA will monitor, support and train In-Home Carers to provide the same loving, family-oriented, and mentally stimulating environment you have come to expect from YMCA Family Day Care.

Do i meet the criteria?
Families who don’t have access to a child care service, who work non-standard hours, who have a child/ren or parent with a disability, where a parent or child is sick or recuperating from illness, with multiple birth children, with three or more children under school age may all be eligible to use our In Home Care service.

Assessment / Selection of carers
The co-ordination team conducts in-depth interviews with, and assessment of, prospective carers. This process ensures that a carer conforms with all the requirements of the Queensland Childcare Act 2002, the Queensland Childcare Regulation 2003 and Gold Coast YMCA In Home Care Policies.

Approved Carers with our scheme all have current First Aid Certificates, Public Liability Insurance, Suitability Cards and must attend regular training sessions throughout the year.

Booked Hours
In accordance with Government regulations, and effective management of the scheme, your hours and days booked at enrolment must be adhered to. If your work hours change requiring a different booking, please speak to your carer, and the office, as soon as possible so your contract can be
amended if extra hours are available within the scheme.

Fees
Consult with the co-ordinator for Fee Schedules, charges and conditions. One week’s payment in advance will be required. Your carer is not obliged to provide care if fees are in arrears, and we would not provide alternative care until all fees are paid.

Child Care benifit
The Commonwealth Government provides assistance to families with their child care fees. A family’s eligibility is assessed by the Family Assistance Office. Families and the scheme are advised of the percentage of Child Care Benefit. Parents pay their contribution, in advance, directly to the carer, and the Benefit is paid through the scheme. It is each parent’s responsibility to update and maintain correct and accurate information.

Cancelation of care
Parents are required to give at least one week’s notice, or pay one week’s fee in lieu of notice.

Holiday fess / Holidays

Parent Holidays: When a parent takes holidays, a holding fee to reserve your child’s place applies. Two weeks written notice is required.

Carer Holidays: Alternative care can be offered if available. Carers will give two weeks written notice to parents. Parents must contact the office at least one week in advance if alternative care is required.

Holding Fee: A holding fee is available for thirty days only per year. Full fees apply for extra days taken (no Child Care Benefit available). Failure to pay a holding fee may result in your place no longer being available.

When a carer and parents take holidays at the same time, no holding fee applies, and absences are not counted. Attendance forms needs to be signed and noted by parents when leave is being taken.