Fairfield City Family Day 50th anniversary (1975 - 2025): A legacy of care and learning
Generations of children have grown, learned, and thrived through the Fairfield City Family Day Care scheme – which celebrates an incredible 50 years of providing meaningful home-based education and care in September this year.
Since its launch in 1975, the scheme has supported hundreds of local families, offering a nurturing, flexible, and community-based early learning and care service that continues to thrive across the region. Today, the service remains a trusted choice for parents and carers seeking personalised care for their children in a safe, supportive, and familiar home setting.
"Fairfield City Family Day Care is not just a service, it's a legacy," Fairfield City Mayor Frank Carbone said.
"For 50 years our educators have supported families across our City by welcoming children into their homes and hearts; providing a safe and inspiring start to life."
The Fairfield City Family Day Care journey began as a pilot program, offering a unique service where children could receive one-on-one attention in a home-like environment. Starting with just a handful of educators – or 'day care mums' as they were known back then, the program has grown into a thriving network that supports hundreds of families each year.
"The wonderful thing about Fairfield City Family Day Care is that it serves as a child's home away from home," said Sherean Michael, Manager of Fairfield City Best Start Education & Care.
"It provides a safe and enriching environment where children can grow and learn, and allows educators to form strong and trusting bonds with the children and families," she said.
"One of our educators has been part of the scheme for 33 years! That's the beauty of Family Day Care – it grows with you. It's personal, it's powerful, and it truly makes a difference."
The strength of the scheme lies in its individualised care in small group settings; culturally responsive education that reflects Fairfield City's diversity; and strong bonds between educators, children, and families. The small group setting also supports children with specific and individual care needs, while continuing to implement an educational program.
"Some educators go the extra mile by preparing culturally and nutritionally balanced meals just like aunty or grandma would, while others offer the flexibility of after-hours and weekend care to accommodate varying schedules and shift working parents, how inspiring is that?" Sherean continued.
"Not to mention many children who once played and learned within these warm, homebased settings continue to visit years later as adults themselves, enjoying a meal and catch up with their former educators.
"This speaks to the meaningful connections forged at Fairfield City Family Day Care, and the amazing educators who deserve to be celebrated on this special golden anniversary."
To mark the 50-year milestone, Fairfield City Council is hosting a celebration for current educators and families to share their stories.
A history of Fairfield City Family Day Care
The Journey: A Legacy of Care and Learning
Fairfield City Family Day Care is the longest-running scheme in Fairfield City, commencing in September 1975. At the same time, Council established its Children and Family Services unit to help facilitate the program, providing capacity building, professional development, networking, and compliance-specific support for educators.
Fast forward to 2025 where the service has grown to include 34 educators caring for 267 children enrolled in the program. The longest serving educator is Vanda Bellissimo who has been registered with the scheme for 33 years.
Celebrating Educators
The educators are professionals that come from diverse backgrounds incorporating varied (but familiar) cultural perspectives into their practice that help children develop respect for differences and an appreciation for the cultural diversity within Fairfield City. Educators wear many hats – caregivers, teachers, mentors, and friends – all while navigating the ever-changing landscape of Family Day Care policies and regulations.
Importantly, they are also business owners working solo to provide a personalised and flexible service. This model has empowered parents, particularly women, to create a rewarding business that provides affordable and flexible care options for families.
Hear from some of our current Fairfield City Family Day Care educators here.
To find out more about becoming a Family Day Care educator visit www.beststart.nsw.gov.au/Family-Day-Care or call 9725 0393.
