Warwick parents give flexible child care a high-five
NINE-to-five jobs are becoming as distant a memory as the days when Nathan and Kellie were in Hi-5, sending parents in search of flexible child care options.
A Federal Government report into the country's day care system showed the number of Aussie children in family day care had climbed 7% in the past year to 115,660.
Centres were by far the most used option and was the care of choice for more than 60% of parents.
Warwick and District Family Daycare educator Sandy McPhee has spent much of her working career caring for other people's children in her home.
She said in-home day care was becoming increasingly popular with parents due to the flexibility it provided.
Mrs McPhee said parents were charged an hourly rate for care and were only a phone call away if needed.
"If the parents are at work and something comes up, they know their child is safe and being cared for," she said.
"Some of the children I care for may only come for half an hour or an hour after school because mum doesn't want them at home by themselves," she said.
"It is peace of mind for those parents."
Smaller groups were also a drawcard for some parents and Mrs McPhee said it allowed her to bond with the kids.
"I only have four children a day and I really get to know the parents and the children personally," she said.
"It also means I can fit in with parents who have different requirements for their kids and I can cater to individual needs. You develop a relationship and I fit in with them and they fit in with me."
