types of child care

Most parents need to use child care at some time. Finding the type of child care which best suits your child and your family’s needs is an important factor in the successful placement of your child in a children’s service.

The type of service you are looking for will depend on many factors. These could include:

the age and interests of your child
the hours of care you require
whether you work full-time or part-time
whether you need regular or occasional care
the geographic location of the service
whether you have a car or need to rely on public transport.

Having an understanding of the difference in service types may help you in your decision making.

types of children’s services

Long day care

Long day care is usually open for 10 or more hours per day, five days per week. Usually takes children from 6 weeks to under 6 years.

regulatory requirements	licensed by Community Services under the Children’s Services Regulation 2004 as a centre-based children's service
age	usually from 0 to 6 years
hours & days	generally open 8 to 12 hours per day, five days per week. Some may open on weekends or operate 24 hours a day, 7 days per week
enrolment patterns	some services enrol children for 2, 3 or 5 fixed days; others will enrol according to vacancies or the parents' requirements
holiday periods	some services remain open 52 weeks per year; others may close for between 1 to 4 weeks over the Christmas period.
minimum staffing levels	1 staff member for every 5 children from birth to 2 years 1 staff member for every 8 children from 2 to 3 years 1 staff member for every 10 children from 3 to 6 years
staff training	must have at least one staff member qualified in early childhood education if children under 2 years are cared for, must have at least one staff member with appropriate training for under 2s must have at least one staff member with a current, approved first aid qualification on the premises at all times children are present numbers of qualified and trained staff vary depending on the size of the service
Child Care Benefit	yes, benefit eligibility varies depending on family's income level
NCAC accreditation	yes
management	can be privately operated, sponsored by a community organisation, church or local government, managed by a parent committee or work-based for employees. Some are attached to other government bodies such as hospitals and educational institutions.

preschool

Preschools generally take children aged 3 to under 6 years, although some may be licensed to take children from 2 years of age.

regulatory requirements	licensed by Community Services under the Children’s Services Regulation 2004 as a centre-based children's service.
age	generally from 3 to under 6 years - some will take children from 2 years
hours & days	mostly 9am to 3pm, some offer 8am to 4pm, or morning and/or afternoon sessions, from Monday to Friday
enrolment patterns	some services enrol children for 2, 3 or 5 fixed days, others will enrol according to vacancies or the parents' requirements
holiday periods	most services operate in line with public school terms, which means services may be closed during school holidays
minimum staffing levels	1 staff member for every 8 children from 2 to 3 years 1 staff member for every 10 children from 3 to 6 years
staff training	must have at least one staff member trained in early childhood numbers of trained staff vary depending on the size of the service must have at least one staff member with a current, approved first aid qualification on the premises at all times when children are present
Child Care Benefit	not usually, check with the service as eligibility varies
NCAC accreditation	no
management	can be operated by individual, community organisation, church or local government or managed by a parent committee. Some are attached to other government bodies such as schools, hospitals and educational institutions.

occasional care

Occasional care offers an opportunity for parents to leave their child for short periods of time, either on a casual basis or as a temporary booking. Care may be for short periods of time, depending on the service.

regulatory requirements	licensed by Community Services under the Children’s Services Regulation 2004 as a centre-based children's service
age	may vary from service to service, but generally age group is 0 to 6 years
hours & days	variable hours up to five days per week.
enrolment patterns	some services enrol children for one hour onwards, others will enrol for half or full days only. Most services have booking systems.
holiday periods	may vary from service to service. Some may operate up to 50 weeks per year, others may be closed during school holidays
minimum staffing levels	1 staff member for every 5 children from birth to 2 years 1 staff member for every 8 children from 2 to 3 years 1 staff member for every 10 children from 3 to 6 years
staff training	must have at least one staff member trained either in early childhood or with appropriate training for under 2s numbers of trained staff vary depending on the size of the service must have at least one staff member with a current, approved first aid qualification on the premises at all times that children are present sometimes assisted by volunteers under the supervision of staff
Child Care Benefit	no
NCAC accreditation	no
management	can be privately operated, sponsored by a community organisation, church or local government or managed by a parent committee

family day care

Family day care schemes coordinate care provided by family day carers in their own homes. Family day care carers operate alone with the support of the scheme.

Hours of care vary and are negotiated with the scheme’s coordinator, or between the carer and the parent. Carers can take up to 5 children from babies up to under 6 years of age and 2 school aged children who need before and after school or vacation care.

regulatory requirements	the scheme is licensed by Community Services under the Children’s Services Regulation 2004. Family Day carers register with the licensed scheme.
age	0 to 12 years
hours & days	flexible, depending on parents' needs and carer availability may include weekend or evening care
enrolment patterns	enrolment in the scheme is through the FDC scheme coordinator who then facilitates a placement with a carer in your area.
holiday periods	parents negotiate holiday times with either the Family Day Care Scheme or the individual carer.
minimum staffing levels	the family day carer is the sole provider of the service, which is provided at their home
staff training	the carer is not required to have formal child care training, but must demonstrate adequate knowledge and understanding of children and families so as to be capable of meeting their needs the carer must have a first aid certificate the coordinator of the scheme must have early childhood qualifications
Child Care Benefit	yes, benefit eligibility varies depending on family income levels
NCAC accreditation	yes
management	sponsored by local government, a church or community group or a private enterprise. carers are supported by the Family Day Care Scheme staff.

home-based care

This is a service where care is provided at the home of the carer. In home-based care the carer operates independently. Hours of care vary and may be able to be negotiated between the carer and the parent.

Carers can nominate the ages of children they care for, but may take children and babies up to 12 years of age who need before and after school or vacation care.

regulatory requirements	licensed by Community Services under the Children’s Services Regulation 2004
age	0 to 12 years - limited to no more than fivechildren 0 to under 6
hours & days	flexible, depending on parents' needs and carer availability may include weekend or evening care
enrolment patterns	enrolment is directly with the carer
holiday periods	parents negotiate holiday times with the carer
minimum staffing levels	the home-based carer is the sole provider of the service, which is provided at their home
staff training	the carer is not required to have formal child care training although must demonstrate adequate knowledge and understanding of children and families so as to be capable of meeting their needs the carer must have a first aid certificate
Child Care Benefit	yes, benefit eligibility varies - check with the service to see if they are eligible.
accreditation through NCAC	no
management	carer operates independently

mobile children’s service

A mobile service generally operates from a van or other vehicle which travels through a particular geographic area and sets up a child care service in a local hall or other premises.

These services may offer occasional care, preschool care or long day care. Service is offered once a week, or more often, depending on regional needs. Hours of care also vary according.

regulatory requirements	licensed by Community Services under the Children’s Services Regulation 2004
age	may vary from service to service but generally age group is 0 to under 6 years
hours & days	variable according to regional need some visit an area weekly for one or more days
enrolment patterns	vary from service to service
holiday periods	may vary from service to service, some may close during school holidays
minimum staffing levels	1 staff member for every 5 children from birth to 2 years 1 staff member for every 8 children from 2 to 3 years 1 staff member for every 10 children from 3 to 6 years
staff training	must have at least one staff member trained in early childhood must have at least one staff member with appropriate training for under 2s numbers of trained staff vary depending on the size of the service must have at least one staff member with acurrent, approved first aid qualification sometimes assisted by volunteers under the supervision of staff members
Child Care Benefit	no
NCAC accreditation	no
management	sponsored by local government or a church or community group

out of school hours care

Services are usually provided before and after school hours and during school holidays for children who attend school. Hours of care vary from service to service.

regulatory requirements	registered with Community Services under the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Amendment (Out of School Hours Care Services) Regulation 2007
age	children who are attending school
hours & days	before and after school and during school vacations. Actual hours may vary from service to service according to community need
enrolment patterns	usually try to meet parents’ need for care
holiday periods	will vary from service to service. may be closed for 1 or 2 weeks over the Christmas period.
minimum staffing levels	staff to child ratios not regulated by Community Services The National Standards for Outside School Hours Care recommend one staff member to 15 children.
staff training	no formal qualifications required, but recommended focus on recreational activities, not educational
Child Care Benefit	yes, benefit eligibility varies - check with the service to see if they are eligible
NCAC accreditation	yes
management	can be privately run, sponsored by a community organisation, church or local government or managed by a parent committee. Some are attached to other government bodies such as schools, hospitals and educational institutions.

child-minding in retail shopping centre

This is a child-minding service provided at premises which form a part of a retail shopping centre. Parents can place their child for short period of time while they are shopping in the centre. Parents/guardian is required to be available on call.

regulatory requirements	services need approval of Community Services for operating the services as per the Children’s Services Regulation 2004 (Part 8A Approved child-minding in retail shopping centre )
age	2 to under 6 years
hours & days	service must operate within the hours of the retail shopping centre
enrolment patterns	children are enrolled at each attendance.
holiday periods	not applicable
minimum staffing levels	at least two staff member should be present when children are provided care sufficient number of adults should be available to assist in the effective evacuation of children.
staff training	when children are present there must be at least one staff member who has: a child care certificate, a certificate of child care studies, or an associate Diploma of social science(child studies) form TAFE establishment of a Diploma of community services form a registered training organization the remaining staff should have had training or work experience in providing children's services all staff working with children should hold a current First Aid qualification
child care benefit	no
NCAC accreditation	no
management	can be a person or organisation who is a holder of an approval

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