Little Ones - Frequently asked questions
Everything families and carers need to know about Nest and Nurture Little Ones. Contact us if your question is not here.
For families
What qualifications do your carers hold?
Every carer on the platform holds a minimum Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, a current Working With Children Check, HLTAID012 child-specific first aid, a national police check, pertussis vaccination and a minimum of two years verified childcare experience. Qualifications are verified before any carer profile goes live.
Can I meet the carer before booking?
Yes. All families complete an online interview with their chosen carer before any booking is confirmed. You browse profiles, request an interview time, and only proceed once you are happy with the match.
How much does in-home childcare cost?
Care starts at $55 per hour for one child, with a minimum booking of 3 hours. The rate increases by $15 per hour for each additional child. Overnight newborn care is a flat $250 for the 9pm to 7am shift, which includes up to 1.5 hours of active care.
What is the minimum booking length?
All bookings have a 3 hour minimum. This applies to casual sessions, regular part-time and full-time bookings.
Is school pickup available?
School pickup is available on regular part-time and full-time bookings only. Carers hold a valid drivers licence and an appropriate vehicle. Families supply approved child restraints and must add the carer to the school authorised pickup list before the first run.
How does overnight newborn care work?
Overnight care runs 9pm to 7am. The flat $250 fee covers the shift including up to 1.5 hours of active care such as feeds, settling and nappy changes. Active care beyond 1.5 hours is charged at the standard 1-child hourly rate and billed on the Wednesday of that week. The family provides a suitable sleeping arrangement for the carer.
What ages does Little Ones cater for?
Carers on the platform work with children from newborns through to school age. Each carer profile shows the age groups they are experienced with, so you can filter for the right match for your family.
How do I pay?
Payment is taken at the time of booking through the platform, processed securely by Stripe. Carer pay is released every Wednesday for sessions completed in the prior week.
What if my carer cannot make it?
Every approved family also has a backup carer assigned from verified carers in their area. If your primary carer is unavailable, the backup steps in. You are never left without care on a confirmed booking day.
Can I filter carers by language, cultural background or care philosophy?
Yes. Carer profiles include the languages they speak, cultural background if they have chosen to share it, and the care philosophies they follow such as Montessori, outdoor play, bilingual immersion and more. You can filter by any of these when browsing.
For carers
What qualifications do I need to join?
You need a minimum Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, a current Working With Children Check, HLTAID012 child-specific first aid, a national police check issued within 3 months, pertussis vaccination, a minimum of two years verified childcare experience, and an active ABN.
How much will I earn?
You earn $40 per hour for one child, increasing by $15 per hour for each additional child in care. On a full-time week of 38 hours with one child that is $1,520. With two children it is $2,090 per week. Overnight care pays a flat $250 per shift.
When do I get paid?
Every Wednesday, automatically. Clock in and out on the platform for each session. Pay for all completed and verified sessions from the prior week is released every Wednesday with no action required from you.
Do I need an ABN?
Yes. Carers work as independent contractors and need an active ABN. You can register for free at abr.gov.au. If you are currently registering you can still begin your application.
Can I set my own hours and suburbs?
Yes. You set the days you are available, the hours on each day, and the suburbs you are willing to travel to. You are only matched to families whose schedule and location fit what you have set.
Do I have to accept every booking?
No. When a family requests an interview you decide whether to proceed. If the match does not feel right you can decline and remain available for other families.
How does the application work?
The application takes around 15 minutes. You upload your qualifications, WWCC, police check, first aid certificate, pertussis record, photo ID and references. Everything is verified before your profile goes live. We respond within 5 business days.
What happens after I am approved?
Your profile goes live and families in your area can browse it. When a family wants to book you they request an interview first. You meet online, decide if it is the right fit, and if both parties are happy the booking is confirmed.