regulation of children's services
Children's services must provide a safe and appropriate care and educational environment for children as outlined in legislation.
In NSW, Community Services administers Children’s Services Regulation 2004 (the Regulation) that governs children's services.
The Regulation covers areas such as the staff who work in services and their level of qualification, the size of a service and the ratio of staff to children, physical requirements of building spaces and equipment, health and safety and administrative requirements.
See the FAQs page for more information about the Regulation.
Note: Amendments to the Regulation commence from 1 January 2011. The information and resources on these pages are being progressively updated to reflect the amendments to the Regulation.
out of school hours care services regulation
The Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Amendment (Out of School Hours Care Services) Regulation 2007 came into effect on 23 February 2007.
This regulation requires out of school hours care services to register with Community Services. It also prohibits the operation of unregistered services.
See the out of school hours care services page for further information on how to register your service.
1:4 staff to child ratio
The Minister for Community Services announced on 8 April 2010 that a ratio of one carer for every four children under the age of two in child care centres and mobile children’s services would be introduced in NSW from 1 January 2011.
See more about the new 1:4 staff to child ratio.
