ways2work - Parents and carers
Child care
For parents with dependent children, reliable, affordable and good quality child care is essential when you’re looking for a job or wanting to remain in work. It can also help you build contacts and networks in the community.
Whatever child care service you decide on will need to meet your needs and those of your children, as well as the rest of the family. You not only want your children to be happy and safe, you also want affordable, stimulating and enjoyable learning experiences for them.
Myth: Putting a child in care ruins them for life
Reality: Current research in child development indicates that the quality of care that children receive is more important than the age at which they start or the amount of time they spend in care. Good quality services provide children with stimulating educational and physical environments. They can provide real support for children’s learning, socialisation and cognitive development, particularly in the transition to preschool and primary school. High quality care has also been shown to be an effective intervention for disadvantaged children or for children with special educational needs.
There are a range of children’s services that you might access including:
- long day care
- occasional care
- family day care
- in-home care
- informal care (provided by relatives, friends or private nannies)
- kindergarten (for four year old children – the year before they start school)
- outside school hours care
Services that provide care or education for five or more children under the age of six years, in the absence of their parents or guardians, are required to be licensed in Victoria by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. This includes centre-based long day care, occasional care centres and kindergartens. These services are required to display a licence at the main entrance. In 2009 licencing requirements will also be in place for family day care and outside school hours care.
Assessing a service
As well as ensuring they have the necessary licences and accreditations, visit the child care service to assess its quality and suitability prior to putting your child's name on the waiting list. To help you with your assessment, download the What to Look for in a Children’s Service (PDF 77kb) checklist, and print it out to take with you on your visits.
Other things to consider:
- the daily or sessional costs
- any subsidies you might be eligible for (Centrelink or the service you choose can help with this)
- days and times that are available
- operational policies of the service
- whether it provides a funded kindergarten program
Book early and maintain contact
As quality, affordable child care places are in high demand, you will have to put your child’s name down on the waiting list well before using the service. It's best to book a place when your child is born. While you might not want to use the child care place right away, at least you are on the books.
When you are planning to return to work, call the service regularly to check availability.
Outside school hours care
Many schools offer outside school hours care (OSHC), that is care before or after school, and many offer care during school holiday times. Call the school office for costs and hours (including morning drop-off times and afternoon pick-up deadlines) and enrolment forms.
Meet with the outside school hours care coordinator to discuss the program. Talk to other parents to find out if they are satisfied with how it's working for them. Places can get snapped up very quickly, so if you hear of a suitable vacancy, it’s best to book in straight away.
More information
Choosing a children's service
More information about choosing a quality children’s service can be found on the Victorian Government's Office for Children and Early Childhood Development website in the Information for Families section.
The Childrens Services section of the same website has information about the different types of care services available.
Financial assistance
The Centrelink and Family Assistance Office websites have information on benefits you might be eligible for to help meet the costs of child care.
You might also be eligible for a Kindergarten Fee Subsidy to help you meet the costs of kindergarten.
Locating a children's service near you
The Office for Children's website can help you Find a Licensed Children's Service.
Your local Council will have information on child care services in your local area. Your Local Council Online is a Victorian Government website that lists contact details for your local council.
The Commonwealth Government's 'Child Care Access Hotline' can search for approved child care services in your area, check availability and when services are likely to have vacancies. They can also give information on child care and child care benefits.
Phone 1800 670 305
Find a Kindergarten can help you locate funded kindergartens near you.
Ask around! People are generally happy to share their knowledge about the services they have used.
General information
The Child Safety Commissioner's website contains Useful information for parents.
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