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CHOOSING THE RIGHT CHILD CARE - WHAT DO DIFFERENT TYPES OF SERVICES OFFER?

CENTRE BASED LONG DAY CARE
PRESCHOOL
FAMILY DAY CARE
HOME BASED CARE
OCCASIONAL CARE
MOBILE SERVICES
OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS CARE/VACATION CARE

CENTRE BASED LONG DAY CARE

Age	0-6 years
Hours	Open a minimum of eight hours, most open for 10 hours per day, five days per week. Some open on Saturdays.
Staffing levels	1 staff member for every 5 children under 2 years 1 staff member for every 8 children 2 - 3 years 1 staff member for every 10 children 3 – 6 years
Staff training	Must have staff trained in early childhood. Numbers of trained staff vary depending on the size of the service
Child Care Benefit	Yes, includes a benefit depending on salary level of parents
Accreditation	Yes
Management & licensee requirements	Can be privately run, 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. Licensed by DoCS.

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Age	Usually 3-6 years. Some will take children from 2 years.
Hours	Mostly 9am-3pm, some offer morning and/or afternoon sessions, some offer extended hours up to 8 hours per day.
Staffing levels	1 staff member for every 8 children 2 - 3 years 1 staff member for every 10 children 3 – 6 years
Staff training	Must have staff trained in early childhood. Numbers of trained staff vary depending on the size of the service
Child Care Benefit	Yes, but does not include a benefit depending on salary level of parents
Accreditation	No
Management & licensee requirements	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. Licensed by DoCS.

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FAMILY DAY CARE

Age	0-12 years
Hours	Flexible, depending on parents needs and carer availability
Staffing levels	1 carer for up to 7 children under 12 years, including the carer’s own children, 5 of whom have not yet started school.
Staff training	The carer provides care in their own home and must have a first aid certificate. The co-ordinator of the scheme must have early childhood qualifications.
Child Care Benefit	Yes, includes a benefit depending on salary level of parents
Accreditation	Yes
Management & licensee requirements	Sponsored by local government or a church or community group. Carers are supported by the Family Day Care Scheme satff. Licensed by DoCS.

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HOME BASED CARE

Age	0-12 years
Hours	Flexible, depending on parents needs and carer availability
Staffing levels	1 carer for up to 7 children under 12 years, including the carer’s own children, 5 of whom have not yet started school.
Staff training	The carer provides care in their own home and must have a first aid certificate. The co-ordinator of the scheme must have early childhood qualifications.
Child Care Benefit	Yes, but does not include a benefit depending on salary level of parents
Accreditation	No
Management & licensee requirements	Carer operates alone. Licensed by DoCS.

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OCCASIONAL CARE

Age	0-6 years
Hours	Variable, up to five days per week
Staffing levels	1 staff member for every 5 children under 2 years 1 staff member for every 8 children 2 - 3 years 1 staff member for every 10 children 3 – 6 years
Staff training	Must have at least one staff trained in early childhood for under 2’s. Numbers of trained staff vary depending on the size of the service. Sometimes assisted by volunteers.
Child Care Benefit	Yes, but may not include a benefit depending on salary level of parents. Check with the service.
Accreditation	No
Management & licensee requirements	Sponsored by local government or a church or community group. Licensed by DoCS.

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MOBILE SERVICES

Age	0-6 years for occasional care, 3-6 for pre-school
Hours	Variable. Some visit an area weekly for one or more days.
Staffing levels	1 staff member for every 5 children under 2 years 1 staff member for every 8 children 2 - 3 years 1 staff member for every 10 children 3 – 6 years
Staff training	Must have at least one staff trained in early childhood for under 2’s. Numbers of trained staff vary depending on the size of the service. Sometimes assisted by volunteers.
Child Care Benefit	Yes, but does not include a benefit depending on salary level of parents
Accreditation	No
Management & licensee requirements	Sponsored by local government or a church or community group. Licensed by DoCS.

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OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS CARE

Age	School aged children up to 12 years
Hours	Before and after school and during school vacations
Staffing levels	Staff to child ratios not regulated but DoCS recommends one staff to 15 children
Staff training	No formal qualifications required, but recommended. Focus on recreational activities, not education.
Child Care Benefit	In most cases. If yes, includes a benefit depending on salary level of parents. Enquire at the service if CCB is available.
Accreditation	Yes
Management & licensee requirements	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. Registered with DoCS.

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