Child Care Helpful Hints

childcare_8.3.1

We understand that selecting the right child care is one of the most important decisions a parent will face, and with such a diverse range and style of care available, it can be rather daunting. Use our helpful checklist and other information to get you started.

Child care checklist

Take this checklist with you to every child care service you visit. You’ll then be able to compare services in your own time after your visits. You’ll probably want to add a few pages of your own notes too.

Download the checklist here.

Principles of accreditation

We have listed the National Childcare Accreditation Council’s principles, helping you understand what standards a child care service must meet before they are granted accreditation.

Download principles here.

Types of child care

The Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs provides the following descriptions of the major types of care to provide guidance on selecting the right type of care for you:

Long day care: Long day care is a centre-based form of child care service. Long day care services provide all day care for children of working families and the general community.
Family day care: Family day care is a network of caregivers who provide care and developmental activities in their own homes for other people's children. A family day care scheme can provide flexible hours of care including long day care, and part-time or casual care. For families who are on call or work shifts, care may be available overnight or on weekends.
In-home care: In-home care is a flexible form of child care where care is provided in the child's home by an approved carer. In-home care may be available for families who do not use a standard child care service, or where their child care needs cannot be met by an existing service.
Occasional care: Occasional care is a unique child care service that supports families by providing flexible care for children from birth to school age. Families can access occasional care regularly or irregularly.
Vacation care: Vacation care services provide care, including creative indoor and outdoor activities during the school holidays for primary school children.

For more information and further descriptions visit their website at www.facs.gov.au.

What about playgroup?

Although playgroup isn’t a form of child care it can provide valuable support to parents, carers and their children. Playgroup Australia explains that playgroup is an informal session where mums, dads, grandparents, caregivers, children and babies meet together in a friendly environment. In a playgroup, parents and caregivers stay to interact with the other adults and to play with the children. Playgroup can be held anywhere that is safe for children and where groups of people can meet - community and neighbourhood centres, health clinics, women's centres, preschools and kindergartens, church halls and even in someone's house.

There is a Playgroup Association in every State and Territory. For more information call your Playgroup Association on 1800 171 882 (free call) or visit www.playgroupaustralia.com.au.

(Source: Playgroup Australia Inc., www.playgroupaustralia.com.au, March 2007.)

Published Date: March 20, 2008
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