The Careproviders of South Australia Incorporated is a non-profit organisation operated by family day care childcare educators.
COSA seeks to provide advocacy, support, and information to South Australian educators, and through the process aims to improve the quality of home-based child care.
COSA advocates on behalf of its members by being involved in relevant committees including:
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Executive committee meetings with DECS (SA scheme operator) |
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DECS consultative committee |
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Representation at Family Day Care Australia consultative meetings |
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Representation at the DECS Child Care Leaders’ Forums |
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Union delegates |
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Liaison with government and non-governments in South Australia and nationally for the benefit of quality care, and for our careproviders |
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Assistance to other sectors in organising forums and conferences on behalf of their colleagues |
The Careproviders of South Australia was launched on 27 February 1988, 21 years ago, and was recognised by the Margaret Oates Review of family day care in 1990. Over the past 21 years we have worked very closely with the Department of Education and Children’s Services, the operator of family day care in South Australia.
Please click here to view our constitution.
If you would like to contact a representative in your area or an executive member please CONTACT US
Committee Members
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Priscilla Schwanz
President
Priscilla has been a FDC Educator for Northside since 1984. A COSA committee member since 2002, and President since 2006. She holds a Diploma in Children's Services as well as Disability Studies.
South Australian representative for the Family Day Care Australia Consultative Body (National Members' Forum - NMF), and member of the State Consultative Committee.
She is also currently the Chairperson for the Northern Schemes Quality Assurance team and also a union delegate for LMHU.
Priscilla attends regular workshops to update her knowledge and mentors other Educators and trainees, as well as assisting with forums. Priscilla is very passionate about family day care and its future directions.
On a more personal note Pricilla is married with three children and proud "nannie” to five grandchildren. |
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Kylie Stafford
Vice President
Kylie has been a FDC Educator since 1999 and holds various qualifications including an Advanced Certificate in Child Care, Associate Dip. in Social Science (Child Care), Diploma in Management (Community Services), Cert IV in Management (Community Services), Certificate in First Line Management (Community Services) as well as family day care qualifications.
Kylie sits as vice president for the North’s Scheme’s Consultative Group, also the State Representative from that group when meeting with all the other schemes at State level. Kylie has embraced the opportunities to mentor other Educators with the business side of family day care both at training level and within other states.
Prior to pursuing a career in family day care Kylie began work in a child care centre as a qualified member of staff and worked her way up to Associate Director. Having the advantage of working in both centre-based care and family day care Kylie has an understanding of the similarities and differences each has to offer children and their families.
Kylie is proud of how her service has grown and changed to cater for new policies and gained business knowledge and feels privileged to have offered home-based learning to many children over the years and to work in an industry she feels passionate about.
The only things I can think about changing is the years of day care from 10 to 11years. |
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Debbie Johnson
Secretary
Debbie has been a FDC Educator with Northside since 1999. She holds a Diploma in Childrens Services as well as Disability Studies and Profession (trade) in Mechanical Engineering. She participates on the Northside Quality Consultative team, member of Childrens Services Consultative Committee and takes her role as Secretary for COSA since 2007 on with pride and is passionate about family day care. Debbie Mentors other educators and trainees.
Debbie is a registered respite carer for children with additional needs. “I believe each child is unique and has the right to every opportunity for them to grow and develop to be great citizens. She was state finalist in the National Child Care Worker of the year Awards for 2010.
Her major passion is her wonderful supportive husband and 3 children.
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Merrilyn Hannaford
Merrilyn has been a family day care educator in the Adelaide Hills since 1986 and has a Diploma of Children's Services. She also cares for children with additional needs in the Family Day Care Respite Program.
She has been a member of COSA for several years where she previously held the positions of President, Vice President and Minute Secretary. Merrilyn also actively serves on the State DECS Consultative Committee, DECS/COSA Committee, Executive Officer of the East Country Hills Consultative Group, Director to the Board of FDCA, State Members' Forums and the Hills Carer Support Group as well as Catering and Family Support Officer for the Country Fire Service in her spare time.
Merrilyn has a commitment to supporting a good quality Family Day Care Service and mentors other Educators in achieving best quality. She is proud to be part of a very innovative COSA team that advocates for all Educators in South Australia.
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Julianne Sonntag
Clothing Coordinator
Julianne was nominated to the COSA team as a voting member when a position from her area, East Country became available. It was a unanimous decision by all members and currently residing on the State Consultative Committee representing East Country region.
Julianne has been a member of COSA for many years, and has been a FDC Educator for over 20 years.
Julianne is currently the person COSA relies on for all orders re t-shirts, and all clothing associated with family day care. Julianne can be contacted on 8532 5106 for further information.
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Teresa Nastasi
Teresa arrived in Australia 1967 from Italy as a young child. Was a carer for her very ill mother and 2 siblings from the age of 10. Teresa has a wonderful husband and 4 beautiful daughters with 3 grand children.
Teresea holds a Certificate III in Children's Services and is currently studying for her Diploma in Children's Services. She has been in family day care since 2001 and worked in child care centres previously to that. She is on the Consultative Group and Policy Review Group representing Southern region.
She believes that as high quality educators we need to keep updating our qualifications, so organises courses for educators in the Southern areas to keep them up to date with the latest techniques/information. She facilitates a networking group/playgroup at her home twice a week.
Teresa is of the belief that children are our future and therefore should provide high quality care.
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Debra Treloar
My role as a family day care educator commenced when I was 40 years young. The journey began by studying Certificate III Children’s Services with family day care. Upon completion I set up my home environment to provide care and support for many families in the hills precinct under the umbrella of the FDC scheme whilst continuing to study Diploma Children’s Services.
I decided to join the family day care scheme after observing and befriending Rai, a fellow ‘Educator’ who cared for my two girls when little. Rai encouraged me during my journey and our friendship remains constant.
I enjoy learning about the human body, how it works and have a pretty good understanding and knowledge of same. I consider ‘study time’ as ‘me time’ and am committed to the journey of learning.
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Rona Dahiltz
Rona has been a FDC Educator since 1984. She holds her Certificate III and is working towards her diploma.
Rona offers a full time service for children aged 6 weeks to 12 years old and also offers evening, weekend & overnight care as needed.
She was selected as the South Australian Carer of the year in 1998.
Rona has been a COSA committee member for many years and previously served as the Secretary.
At the moment Rona is the COSA & Country Central representative on the Family Day Care Business and Customer Support Centre Consultative Group.
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Juline Dimasi
Treasurer
Juline has been a FDC Educator since 1994. She holds a Teacher’s College Diploma in Lower and Upper Primary School Education.
Juline has been a COSA committee member since 2003, held the position of Treasurer for a number of years before giving it up and in 2010 regained the position under a unanimous vote.
Juline is also a member of the International Family Day Care Organisation (IFDCO).
Juline operates her family day care business four days a week and provides overnight care. |
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Laura Kaczurowski
Laura Kaczurowski has been a FDC Educator for 19 years, has been involved with COSA for the past two years and has just recently become a committee member. She is involved in the Quality Assurance Committee for Central Metro Scheme.
She operates her family day care service for 4 1/2 days a week and provides overnight care during the week nights. She is currently studying for her Certificate III in Children Services.
She lives with her partner, has 2 grown up girls, the youngest lives at home.
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Barbara Muder
Barbara is an experienced careprovider of 20 years. She is passionate about caring for children and supporting families and believes that children should be nurtured, safe and offered the best care possible.
For many years she has attended meetings to represent the views of careproviders at state and national meetings and feels it is important to continue to have a voice.
Her commitment is to do her very best to network with careproviders and families and relay information about their needs. Barbara will continue to work in the best interest of family day care and its future.
Barbara is a very proactive member of the COSA team and supports the other members when dealing with legislative reviews and policy changes.
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Elizabeth Gavin
Elizabeth Gavin has been a family day care educator in Southern vales since 1991.
A member of Southern Q.A committee, Elizabeth is committed to promoting family day care as a quality child care service. Elizabeth is married with two adult children. |
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Rose Smith
Rose has been a FDC Educator with Central Metro since 1987. She is currently studying Certificate III in Childrens Services. She is a member of the Central Metro Quality consultative team.
She works 4 days a week and provides overnight care. She has a supportive husband and 2 adult children. “I love working with children and believe that every child is unique, valuable and precious.
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Joyleen O'Shea
Joyleen has been a family day care Educator since 2006. She holds a Diploma in Children's Services. Before starting family day care she worked with Child, Youth and Women Health Service as a volunteer for 11 years helping families after the birth of a child.
Joyleen actively participates on the Southern Consultation group and policy update.
On a more personal note Joyleen is from a family of 15 children and has 2 adult boys of her own.
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