choosing a centre
DoCS seeks to ensure that all licenced child care services in NSW meet the minimum standards required by law. We are responsible for the regulation of children's services, and we employ Children’s Services Officers around the state to check that the requirements are met.
finding a service in your area
In choosing a centre for your child, you first need to consider the needs and interests of your child and family. This might include how accessible the service is to where you live or work.
See our list of child care contacts for organisations which can tell you more about child care services in your area, or about services which would suit your child's needs.
check the services' policies and values
Before choosing a centre or service, you need to visit and check that the policies and values are right for you and your child. The following questions and answers will allow you to make fully informed decisions.
what are their policies?
Every service should have written information available to parents. Ask to see their philosophy, aims and policies.
The policies should cover:
- what their educational objectives are and how they will be achieved, including how parents can input into the day-to-day program of the service
- how each child’s individual interests will be met
- staff and child interactions, for example that staff will treat your child with respect
- how the program is relevant to children of all cultures and abilities
- excursion procedures
- complaint handling
- staff employment, management and training policies
- how children's behaviour is guided
- authority for access to or picking up your child
- health and safety.
what kind of experiences should be provided?
Every service must have a balanced program of indoor and outdoor activities and enough variety to stimulate your child’s development. Services should have sufficient toys and equipment to provide choice for your child and enough variety to make each day interesting.
In centre-based care, a written program should be displayed for you to see. You should also be able to view any individual records on your child.
All services, including home-based or family day care, must advise parents regularly about the experiences their child has been involved in.
They should be encouraged to develop their skills at their own pace, in their own way, and to learn independence.
what about accidents, illnesses and infectious diseases?
If a child has an accident or falls ill while they are in care, they must be cared for until their parent arrives or medical treatment is obtained. Services must always keep a record of accidents. There must always be a staff member with First Aid qualifications present while children are in attendance.
Every service should inform you about its policy on handling infectious diseases, such as chicken pox or measles. It should explain when children will be excluded from the service to stop diseases spreading.
Services should have good health and hygiene practices that minimise the spread of any infection. Ask the staff what their policies are.
what records are kept?
Records on your child must include:
- the initial enrolment form you fill in
- up-to-date contact numbers
- changes to your child’s health (such as up-to-date immunisation records)
- reports of your child’s development.
All information about the children, families and staff is confidential. Records kept on your child may be looked at by staff, but they cannot reveal this information to anyone else, including other parents.
As a parent, you may look at your child’s records at any time.
do I have a right to a say about how the service operates?
As a parent or family member you have a right to stand up for your child. As a user of the service you have a right to question practices and changes. You should be told about any changes that are happening.
If you believe a service is not operating within the standards set by the licensing regulations, contact Children's Services Directorate on 02 9716 2100.
how should arriving and leaving be managed?
All children should be greeted by a staff member when they arrive and be encouraged to become involved in an activity. This helps them settle in for the day. It’s also good to encourage children to say goodbye. If a child is having difficulty settling, discuss how to reduce the child's distress with a staff member.
Some parents and children like to spend time together at the centre, either when arriving in the morning or before going home. This can help your child understand that you are part of their life at the centre and help you understand how they spend their day.
The parent or person dropping the child off in the morning and picking them up must sign an attendance book. Any person picking up the child - other than the parent – must be authorised in writing by the parent.
can I visit my child?
Any parent (unless denied access through a court order) is entitled to visit their child at the service at any time.
what are the rules on sleeping?
Whether children sleep or rest while in child care depends on their individual needs. All services, need to provide sleeping arrangements, including fresh bedding for children so they can sleep or rest if they wish. Children should not be made to sleep against their will.
In family day care or home-based care, a child under two may sleep in the same room as an adult. (This is to provide for family day care or home-based care for parents who are shiftworkers or have jobs out of normal business hours).