What are my child care options?
You might need to leave your child in someone else's care - that is, child
care -if you have work, study or other commitments. Choosing the right child
care can be a difficult decision for families. Your decision will depend on your
family's needs and the environment you and your child will feel most comfortable
with.
As well as providing care, child care services provide an opportunity for
your child to develop social, emotional and learning skills.
When deciding on the type of care that is best for your child, you may want
to ask yourself:
- How many hours of care do I need? The whole day? Just mornings? Just
afternoons? Just a few hours a week? Or just occasionally, like when I have an
appointment and need someone to look after my children?
- Do I want my child cared for in a home environment or in a centre?
- What kind of qualifications and experience do staff members have?
- Does the centre offer a pre-school program?
- What learning and play opportunities do I want my child to have?
- What kind of routine will my child have?
- Do I want the centre to provide lunch? Can I have a look at a sample meal
plan?
- Does the centre provide nappies for children under the age of 2?
- What is the carer-to-child ratio?
- Can I claim Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate if I choose a certain
child care centre?
Here is a quick description of the different types of child care to help you
make your decision.
- Long day care
- Family day care
- In home care
- Outside school hours care
- Occasional
Long day care
Long day care is sometimes referred to as centre-based care and is generally
provided in a building or part of a building that has been created specifically
for use as a child care centre.
Centres usually operate between 7:30 am and 6:00 pm and offer professional
care for children aged 0-6. Children are usually grouped in rooms according to
age and developmental stage.
Child care is usually available for all day or part of the day at a centre.
Some centres offer morning or afternoon sessions.
Many centres offer meals throughout the day including morning tea, lunch and
afternoon tea. The types of meals vary from centre to centre. If a centre does
not offer meals then families will need to provide their own.
Most long day care centres will have an early education component to their
program so children will learn as they are cared for.
Long day care centres are run by private companies, local councils, community
organisations, individuals, non-profit organisations or by employers for their
staff.
The majority of long day care centres are approved child care services. This
means that families using the service may be eligible for Child Care Benefit and
the Child Care Rebate. Approved services must also show that they are meeting
certain quality standards.
Family day care
Family day care is where a professional carer looks after your child in the
carer's home. This type of care is sometimes known as home-based care. Carers
work mainly with children aged 0-6 who are not yet at school, but can also
provide care for older school-aged children. The number of children each carer
can have in their home is determined by state and territory government laws.
The hours of care are flexible. Carers can provide care for the whole day,
part of the day or for irregular or casual care.
Some carers may offer care overnight or on weekends. This may suit parents
who are 'on call' or work shifts. Some carers are self-employed but work in
partnership with a family day care scheme.
Other carers are employed directly by the scheme that supports family day
care by:
- helping families select an appropriate carer
- monitoring the standard of care provided
- administering the claiming and payment process for Child Care Benefit
and payment process for the Child Care Rebate on
behalf of parents
- providing support services like playgroups, toy libraries and professional
advice.
The majority of family day care services are approved child care services. This means that families using the service may be eligible for
Child Care Benefit and the Child Care Rebate. Approved services must also show
that they are meeting certain quality standards.
In home care
In home care is similar to family day care but the professional carer looks
after the child in your child's home. However, it is not widely available and
usually only an option where other forms of care are not suitable.
In home care services are for families with children who cannot be cared for
by other child care centres or whose circumstances mean that an existing child
care centre cannot meet their needs and to whom one or more of the following
applies:
- the child has, or lives with another child who has, an illness or disability
- the child's guardian (or guardian's partner) has an illness or disability
that affects their ability to care for the child
- the child lives in a rural or remote area
- the work hours of the child's guardian (or guardian's partner) are hours
when no other approved child care service is available
- the child's guardian (or guardian's partner) is caring for three or more
children who have not yet started school.
Outside school hours care
Outside school hours care centres provide care for primary school aged
children, before and after school (7:30 am -9:00 am and 3:00 pm -6:00 pm),
during school holidays and on pupil-free days.
Outside school hours care (OSHC) is also referred to as out-of-school hours
(OOSH) care in some states or territories.
Vacation care is a type of outside school hours care that includes indoor and
outdoor activities. These centres are sometimes run by the same organisation
that runs before and after-school care.
Centres are usually located on primary school sites in the school hall and/or
playground. Some centres are located in a child care centre, community facility
or outside-school hours care centre near the primary school.
Many centres offer a snack as well as the
Active After-school Communities exercise program.
The majority of outside school hours care centres are approved child care
services. This means that families using the service may be eligible for the
Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate. Approved services must also show that
they are meeting certain quality standards.
Occasional care
Occasional care offers professional care for children on a casual basis. This
service is suitable for families who do not need child care on a regular basis
but would like someone to look after their children occasionally, for example
when they have a medical or other appointment.
Most occasional care centres have flexible operating hours and can cater for
children whose parents work irregular or unpredictable hours (e.g. shift
workers).
Child care waiting lists
There may be situations where there are no vacancies at a child care centre
you wish to use. Some child care centres have waiting lists to help determine
the next placement. However, the Australian Government has
Priority of Access Guidelines to ensure there is a fair child care system.
The system ensures that, where there are vacancies or a waiting list for
child care centres, places are allocated to families with the greatest need for
child care. These guidelines apply to approved, long day care, family day care,
in home care and outside school hours care centres.
Where can I get more information?
To find out more about different types of child care, please check the fact
sheets below or see the "Information for families
using child care" fact sheet kit.