CHILDREN BY CHOICE ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED

Childcare

Whether you are working or not, at some stage most parents will need to use some form of childcare. Childcare services can be either informal (grandparents, babysitters, family, friends or neighbours), or formal (crèches, kindergartens, family daycare centres and playgroups). Also, childcare services can range in price from free or cheap to quite expensive, depending on what type of service you are using, how often you use it, and whether you are eligible for some form of government rebate scheme.  If you need to have formal childcare soon after the baby's birth, start making enquiries and bookings as soon as you know your due date, as the number of places available for newborns are very limited.

When looking at the various childcare alternatives, there are a number of issues that need to be taken into consideration. Some of these could include:

• Location - is it close to home or work?
• Could you get there in time if your car broke down?
• Cost - is the price reasonable based on the range of services offered?
• Services - do they provide meals, or will you need to? What about nappies, clean clothes and toys?
• Environment - is there room for children to run around in? Is it clean and child-safe (i.e. no sharp corners, poisons out of reach, etc)?
• Qualifications - are the carers qualified to be looking after children? Are their backgrounds checked?
• Licensing - is the centre licensed for operation? How many children are they licensed to care for?

For more information on child care services, contact:

Child Care Information Service
Provide a statewide information & referral service. Also provides guidelines detailing what to look for in a childcare service.

Family Day Care Association of Queensland
A statewide information service on family day care.

Crèche & Kindergarten Association of Queensland
Statewide information service on crèche and kindergarten service in Queensland.

Playgroup Association of QLD
(07) 3371 8253
Playgroups help parents and carers to share ideas, experiences and worries, to learn from each other, and support each other.