Welcome!
Guardian in-home back up care is perfect for emergencies or when your usual care arrangements break down. It is available when you need it most – perhaps your regular caregiver is unavailable or your child is mildly ill, we can provide a high-quality solution in a safe environment so that you can balance your personal and professional demands.
Frequently Asked Questions!
About Guardian
Since the Guardian Group was founded in 2004, it has become the third largest private childcare operator in Australia with over 110 early learning centres nationally.
What sets Guardian apart from other childcare providers is its commitment to early childhood education and care through the creation of stimulating learning environments, the engagement of committed Educators and the implementation of our bespoke Curriculum.
Guardian has an unmatched reputation for operational excellence in the early childhood education and care sector, and ensures that its centres receive the funding, training and oversight necessary to make them safe and stimulating environments for children, their families and for Guardian’s Educators.
What sets Guardian apart from other childcare providers is its commitment to early childhood education and care through the creation of stimulating learning environments, the engagement of committed Educators and the implementation of our bespoke Curriculum.
Guardian has an unmatched reputation for operational excellence in the early childhood education and care sector, and ensures that its centres receive the funding, training and oversight necessary to make them safe and stimulating environments for children, their families and for Guardian’s Educators.
Can I use in-home backup care if my child is ill?
Parents can use in-home back up care when their child is mildly ill.
Guardian Educators hold a current first aid certificate, however they are not medical personnel. If your child is mildly ill, our Educators are present only to watch over, entertain, and delight a child who is a little under the weather.
Generally, Educators will care for children in these situations:
For more information, please refer to our Caring for Unwell Children Policy.
Guardian Educators hold a current first aid certificate, however they are not medical personnel. If your child is mildly ill, our Educators are present only to watch over, entertain, and delight a child who is a little under the weather.
Generally, Educators will care for children in these situations:
- Fever under 38°C (and on the decline)
- Teething or colicky behaviour
- Ear infection
- Conjunctivitis (when the child has been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours)
- Strep throat (when the child has been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours)
For more information, please refer to our Caring for Unwell Children Policy.
What do I pay?
Nothing! This service is fully funded by Multiplex as a benefit available to primary caregivers in the first 12 months following a return from parental leave.
How long does an in-home care booking have to be?
The minimum booking = 4 hours, maximum booking = 12 hours.
Cancellations
Guardian requires at least 24 hours’ notice of any booking cancellation. Parents can cancel a booking by calling or emailing the Guardian Enrolments Team on 1300 001 119 or at [email protected]
Guardian’s Educators
Guardian has a robust recruitment process that includes extensive interviews, background-checks, reference checks and probation periods. These Educators are then inducted in Guardian’s policies and procedures, and offered a broad range of ongoing professional development opportunities to expand the breadth of their learning.
When can I use in-home backup care?
You can use in-home back up care at any time, although the minimum amount of notice required is 2 business hours.
Guardian asks that any requests for in-home back up care are made with at least 24 hours’ notice, in order to provide us with sufficient time to find an Educator who can fulfil your request.
Guardian asks that any requests for in-home back up care are made with at least 24 hours’ notice, in order to provide us with sufficient time to find an Educator who can fulfil your request.
Medical treatment
Guardian Educators are not medical professionals. They can provide basic first aid and administer medication in accordance with a child’s medical management plan.
Policies and Procedures
Guardian has a set of policies and procedures that apply to in-home back up care.
Late collection & extended bookings
Where you, or an authorised person, is not available to care for a child (or children) at the conclusion of the reserved hours a late fee will apply.
This fee is $25 for the first 15 minutes following the conclusion of the booking, and $5 per minute thereafter. No late fee will apply where the parent has provided the Educator with at least 2 hours’ notice that the booking needs to be extended, and the Educator has agreed to fulfil the requested additional hours.
Where the parents requires less time than the number of hours booked, the booking can be adjusted accordingly, provided that the total number of booked hours is not less than 4 hours.
This fee is $25 for the first 15 minutes following the conclusion of the booking, and $5 per minute thereafter. No late fee will apply where the parent has provided the Educator with at least 2 hours’ notice that the booking needs to be extended, and the Educator has agreed to fulfil the requested additional hours.
Where the parents requires less time than the number of hours booked, the booking can be adjusted accordingly, provided that the total number of booked hours is not less than 4 hours.