This section is dedicated to options available for childcare for children over 2 years old with information on 2-5 year olds, plus childcare for school age children. Please refer to the Babies section for younger babies & toddlers (<2 years).

The options are fairly simple ranging from Family Day Care, Long Day Care centres, Preschools, private nannies/au pairs & babysitters, or a private childminding arrangement with family, friends or other Mums in similar situations where perhaps you can provide/receive shared care for each others children. Commercial childcare services can be accredited by the National Childcare Accreditation Council (NCAC) - which ensures the locations of childcare are checked for things such as health and safety and the quality of their childcare. Further details of which can be found in the NCAC section below.

The Dept of Community Services (DoCS) website shows more details and requirements for each type of child care service available.

Use these links below or on the left hand side of the page to review the different options and important information about childcare:-

• Family Daycare
• Long Day Care centres
• Preschools
• Occasional Care
• Vacation Care & Before/After School Care
• Private Home-based Childcare - Nannies, Au Pairs & Babysittters
• National Childcare Accreditation Council Inc (NCAC)
• Child Care Benefit


Back to top »

National Childcare Accreditation Council (NCAC)

Tel:1300 136 554

Accreditation of childcare services is carried out by the National Childcare Accreditation Council (NCAC) - which ensures childcare services are checked for quality including aspects such as health and safety.

The NCAC can give you advice on what to look for in a quality childcare environment and provide you with the names and contact details of registered and accredited child care services in your area.

The NCAC website offers a search of childcare options by suburb or postcode including Long Day Care centres and Family Day Care. You can also check to see if your preferred childcare centre is accredited and apply for a free Family Information pack by contacting the NCAC using the website, or by calling on 1300 136 554 or (02) 8260 1900 between Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm. Email:qualitycare@ncac.gov.au

Back to top »

Child Care Benefit

The Family Assistance Office is able to advise you as to whether you qualify for childcare benefit. Generally all approved care is eligible as are registered carers, but the amount of child care benefit varies. Use the Family Assistance Office website or call 13 61 50 for further information.

Basically, children in approved care will be eligible for benefits up to 24 hours per week, or up to 50 depending on the work/study eligibility test and may be eligible for maximum benefits depending on your circumstances. The Childcare access hotline 1800 670 305 can give you contact details for approved childcare in the area.

Using registered care automatically makes you eligible for only the minimum childcare benefit. Approved care is generally all family day care and long day care childcare centres, whereas registered care is generally nannies, grandparents, relatives & friends who are registered as carers with the Family Assistance Office.

Refer to the Government funding section for further information.

Back to top »

Preschools

Preschools generally operate on a school type basis of part time hours and close over school holidays.

Govt financial support and funding is different for preschools compared to family day care and long day care centres. It is possible that you may not be able to receive child care benefit and/or tax rebates with this option if the Preschool is not classified as an approved or registered centre by the Govt.

Some long day care centres run a preschool programme for 3-5 years old, in which case longer hours are available, there is no closure during the school holidays, plus for approved/registered centres Govt financial support is available.

For further information and to check your eligibility, contact the Family Assistance Office, or read the section on childcare benefit

Approved child care is care provided by a service provider that participates satisfactorily in the Australian Government funded quality assurance system and has been approved to receive Child Care Benefit payments on behalf of eligible families. Most long day care, family day care, before and after school care, vacation care, some occasional care and some in home care are approved child care providers. Your child care service can tell you if they are an approved provider.

To find an approved child care service and information on vacancies in your area, you can ring the Child Care Access Hotline on 1800 670 305 (TTY 1800 639 327) between 8am and 9pm AEST Monday to Friday.

Local Preschools can be found in the My Local Guide Business Directory. Alternatively, you can search for Preschools in the local area by using the search tools on the websites below:

• NCAC Childcare Services - search
• Care For Kids - search.