The Cusp program is a child/young people focused, family centred and strengths-based program that aims to improve mental health outcomes for vulnerable children and young people aged 5 to 18.
It’s estimated that one in four children have a mental health condition. Without the right support, this can impact their learning, development, relationships and success throughout their life. By supporting your child to develop strategies for managing challenging and stressful situations, Cusp can help them build lifelong resiliency.
The best time to act is now
Half of all mental health challenges begin before the age of fourteen. That makes early intervention during childhood critical in helping your child navigate their emotions and develop stress management strategies.
Through the Cusp program, a Uplyft worker will help you and your child develop a Family Action Plan. We will support them in setting personal goals, building upon their existing strengths and motivations, and devising new strategies to manage challenges and reduce their vulnerabilities. This work will be done in partnership with a parent, guardian or significant supportive adult in a safe and secure environment.
Who can apply for Cusp?
Cusp is available to residents of the City of Gosnells, City of Armadale or City of Wanneroo, who are aged between 5 and 18 and vulnerable to or experiencing the early stages of a mental health condition. Participation in Cusp is voluntary, and both the child and their parent or guardian must be willing to work in partnership with Uplyft. The child or young person cannot be under a current protection order (time-limited or until 18 years) held by the Department of Communities.
Please Note: The waitlist for City of Armadale and the City of Gosnells is open and we are accepting referrals for 2026. The waitlist for the City of Wanneroo is currently closed.
Coen’s story
Coen* was unsettled and moody. He wasn’t coping well with his parent’s separation and his mother’s mental health. When he and his mother met Lucy from Uplyft, things started to change. Lucy taught Coen how to manage his feelings and gave him strategies to handle new or challenging situations. She gave Coen and his mum new resources to help both of them. They appreciated that she was always flexible about when and where they met because it meant Coen’s mum didn’t have to change her work hours. They hadn’t had that kind of support from a service before. Coen was sad when his sessions came to an end. He was grateful to have spoken to Lucy, and it felt good to have someone who was there for him, whom he trusted.
*Name changed
How to access support
1. Contact us
If you have any questions about Cusp, please contact us.
2. Complete a referral
Once you are ready to apply, please complete a referral form. Parents, agencies or schools can refer a child or young person, or they can self-refer.
3. We’ll be in touch
Once we’ve received and reviewed your referral, we’ll be in touch to provide more information about the program and to arrange a meeting.
Enquire today
Uplyft is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. We require all applicants to undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment.
Yes, to work as a Family Day Care Educator with us, you must hold at least an approved Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (or a higher early childhood qualification such as a Diploma). This is a National Quality Framework requirement, and as of current regulations, you must already hold the Certificate III before commencing work - you cannot start working while merely “working towards” it.
No, you do not need to own your home to operate a Family Day Care service. You can run an FDC service from a rented property, as long as you have written permission from the property owner or landlord.
To establish your family day care business, you will need to ensure your home has the necessary facilities to create a safe and nurturing space for children, including (but not limited to):
- A designated area for children to sleep or rest
- A space for children to use the toilet or have their nappy changed
- Sufficient indoor space for children to play without them running into furniture
- A designated area to prepare or store food
- A designated area for children to eat
- An outdoor space for children to learn and play
- A dedicated laundry area
- Secure storage for items such as toiletries, medicines and cleaning products
Before you open the doors to your new family day care business, we will assess your residence and will communicate further with any additional requirements that may be required.
If you live in Port Hedland or Newman and open your Family Day Care service through Uplyft, you may be eligible for a $5,000 grant to help with the costs of setting up your service (terms and conditions apply).
The grant can be used for a range of essential start-up expenses, including:
- Furniture and equipment for children’s learning and play areas (e.g., tables, chairs, storage).
- Educational resources and toys to support early learning programs.
- Safety and compliance items, such as first aid kits, smoke alarms, and child-proofing equipment.
The grant is designed to ease the initial setup costs so you can focus on providing a safe, high-quality Family Day Care service from day one.
When you join Uplyft Family Day Care as an educator, you operate as a self‑employed small business, you are not employed directly by Uplyft. This means you can choose your own hours and set your service fees with support and guidance from Uplyft.
- Uplyft keeps administration costs minimal
- Uplyft pays for educator access to the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) software and other essential systems, so you don’t need to pay separately to use them.
- You can decide what to charge families for care based on your qualifications, experience, and hours offered, while staying within Uplyft’s guidance.
The time it takes to join Uplyft Family Day Care can vary depending on a few factors. Key considerations include:
- Completion of required forms and documentation including your qualifications, police and working with children checks, and any landlord permission if operating from a rental property.
- Completion of mandatory training such as first aid, CPR, and child safety courses.
- How quickly you want to start. If you are ready and all requirements are met promptly, the onboarding process can be faster.
Once all paperwork, checks, and training are completed, Uplyft can guide you through the final steps to officially launch your Family Day Care service. Typically, the process can take a few weeks, but it may be shorter or longer depending on your circumstances.
You can have a total of 7 children with no more than 4 children under school age and 3 children who are school age.
Your earnings as an Uplyft Family Day Care Educator will depend on a number of factors, as you are running your own small business.
These include:
- How many days and hours you choose to work
- The number of children in your care
- The fees you set for your service
As an educator, you have the flexibility to set your own fees (within Uplyft’s guidance), which means you can tailor your income based on your experience, qualifications, and the type of care you provide.
Many educators appreciate the ability to balance their income with their lifestyle, whether they choose to work part-time or full-time. Uplyft can also provide guidance to help you set competitive fees and maximise your earning potential.
Enquire today
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Contact Us
For enquiries or questions about the Early Childhood Approach (ECA) program, please contact us on 1300 969 645 or email ndis@uplyft.org.au.
26 Prior Street,
Albany WA 6330
Physical address
3 Sarich Way
Bentley WA 6102
Our mailing address
Post Office Box 1047
Bentley WA 6983
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Bibra Lake WA 6163
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Mandurah WA 6210
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Bunbury WA 6230
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Currambine WA 6028
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Innaloo WA, 6018
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Kelmscott WA 6111
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Midland WA 6056
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Northam WA 6401
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Rockingham WA 6168
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