General Information On Childcare

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Checklist for starting Childcare
Starting your little one at a new childcare centre can feel daunting and even overwhelming so we’ve pulled together a checklist to help you prepare for day one.

Checklist for childcare centre tours
A printable list of questions and things to look out for when you’re doing the rounds of local centres.

How do Australian parents choose child care? | CareforKids.com.au
Every family has different needs and wants on how to choose child care. Care for Kids has been supporting families in finding the right childcare service.

What types of childcare are there? | CareforKids.com.au
An overview of the different child care services available to families, including centre based care and in-home care options, and how families can access them.

Which child care is best? Your Child Care Options | CareforKids.com.au
Read this for an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of child care options available in Australia.

What is the best age to start childcare?
Information for parents trying to determine the best time to put their child in a childcare service for the first time including personality factors to consider.

Helping your child adjust to child care
Tried and tested strategies for ensuring children make a successful transition to child care, what to expect and how to ease the adjustment process.

The benefits of formal care | CareforKids.com.au
A French study has suggested that those who attend formal care may develop better social skills and behaviour than those who don't.

How to manage issues with your child care service
Stress free strategies for quickly and effectively managing issues with your child care service using openness, positive communication and a problem solving approach.

What to do when you can't find child care?
Creative child care options and alternatives for people who haven’t been able to secure their preferred type of child care service and need to return to work.

What is high-quality child care?
A definition of high quality early childhood education and care based on the experience of researchers, early childhood providers, parents and experts.

Childcare for people who work non-standard hours
Childcare strategies for shift workers and people who work non-standard or extended hours who can’t source childcare services in the usual places.

What is occasional care?
An overview of occasional care including what it is, how to find it, what your child will do there, who uses it and why and how much it costs.

The great waiting game
Winning the waiting list war: An overview of waitlists and how to maximise the chances of securing a spot in your preferred service.

Successfully using grandparents for child care
Tips and tricks for using grandparents in your child care arrangements, including payment, checking in, rules and guidelines and more.

The great child care commute
Commuting to and from child care.

Creches for your child | CareforKids.com.au
A creche or child minding service enables parents to do things without having to commit to a long term child care arrangement. Read to find out if it’s right for you.

How to reconnect with your child after care
Going to child care is a big event in your little one’s life, and although there's fun to be had and lots to learn, those hours at care can take their toll when pick-up rolls around.

Accessing My Customer Reference Number for the Child Care Subsidy
What is a CRN for childcare and how do you get a CRN? We’re here to help you navigate the steps for accessing your CRN as well as your child's CRN to get your childcare rebate.

Know When It's Time To Register For Childcare
No matter what stage of early childhood your little one is in, the right time for registering for childcare might not be clear. Here we discuss when and how to enrol for childcare.

What Does A Childcare Worker Do? | Careforkids.com.au
What goes on in childcare when you’re not around? We break down what are childcare workers, the main responsibilities of a childcare worker and what type of work is childcare.

How to Apply for Childcare Assistance | Careforkids.com.au
Information about the application process for childcare assistance, including how to apply for the Childcare Subsidy and when to apply for childcare.

Kindergarten vs Childcare: Where Will My Child Thrive? | Careforkids.com.au
Kindergarten and childcare offer quality early childhood education and care, we’ve taken a look at their differences to help you find the best option for your family.

The Importance Of Celebrating Early Childhood Educators | Careforkids.com.au
Educators contribute to the wellbeing & development of children, and Early Childhood Educators' Day recognises the work of Australia's educators in early learning services.

Can You Claim Childcare As A Tax Deduction? | Careforkids.com.au
Childcare is a significant expense for many parents, so it’s no wonder so many families would love the opportunity to claim this cost as a tax deduction to make life easier.

When should you keep your child at home from childcare?
We spoke with Nikki Ferrari, Centre Manager at Bluebird Early Education Clyde North, to give us some pointers to make it easier to know when to keep your child at home.

The major Australian political parties' policies for childcare
With the cost of living rising, and after a challenging year for the childcare industry, the major political parties are re-evaluating the way childcare looks for Australian families.

How Batman and Dora inspire perseverance
The ‘Batman Effect’ and how early educators can use it to motivate and inspire young children to work harder.

Australia’s child care hot spots revealed
Australia’s Child Care Hot Spots Revealed - July to September 2021.

5 signs of a happy early learning centre
5 things you’ll see in a happy child care service and why this is important.

Choosing high quality child care for your infant
Factors to consider when choosing child care for your very young baby and interesting research to show that it isn’t necessarily who provides the care that makes the difference but the quality of care provided.

How to choose the best child care centre
Five top tips from the experts at Guardian Education and Kids & Co clinical psychology on how to identify and choose the best child care centre.

How to choose appropriate clothing for child care
Five key factors to keep in mind when choosing your child’s clothes for a day in their child care service, to ensure they can play and learn and are safe from the elements.

What to look for in an outside school hours care service
With a shortage of outside school hours care services in some areas, learn how to choose the best outside school hours care for your child and family.

How do educators teach under-fives to be kind?
How educators can support children to learn how to be kind and respectful to one another.

How to plan child care in times of uncertainty
Learn why it is important to have a back up plan in case your usual child calls through and how to develop a range of contingencies to suit different circumstances.

Expert advice to help your child transition to school
Dr Kate Highfield from Early Childhood Australia, explains how parents can support preschoolers to transition to big school despite absences and disruption caused by COVID-19.

How to optimise video calls between grandparents and under fives
Strategies for hosting a successful video chat with grandparents and staying connected for families who have been separated by COVID-19.

Celebrating Early Childhood Educators’ Day
On Early Childhood Educators’ Day this article offers 9 simple and heartfelt ways to show your child’s hard working educator your appreciation for all their hard work.

What is the Curiosity Approach?
Learn about the Curiosity Approach a relatively new early education pedagogy which aims to foster children’s awe and wonder through beautiful environments and simple non-prescriptive play equipment.

Planning for child care while pregnant
Pregnancy is the perfect time to start thinking and planning your child care strategy. This article looks at what you can do in advance, how to access government payments and how to choose a child care provider.

The rise of artificial intelligence in child care
Artificial intelligence is making great inroads in the early childhood education space read about some of the apps and technologies changing the face of parenting.

VIC child care open during lock down
VIC child care open during lock down.

Immunity boosters for kids in care
Early childhood education centres can be a breeding ground for germs. Learn how to keep boost your child’s natural immunity and keep them well over the winter months.

Hello virtual babysitting!
Virtual babysitters offer child minding services via the internet, while the parents are close at hand. This article considers which children benefit and how it can support parents.

The emergence of virtual playgroup
Learn how lockdown and social distancing has caused a large number of virtual playgroups to spring up across the country.

How to reduce separation anxiety for children in care
Separation anxiety is a normal developmental phase which can be distressing for children and their parents. This article describes strategies parents can employ to ease anxiety and help their child settle into care.

Amazing child care services doing amazing things
Amazing child care services doing amazing things.

The benefits of mixed-age grouping at child care
Learn about mixed age groupings, which offer children in early learning services the opportunity to interact freely with children of different ages.

Playgroups + National Playgroup Week 2020
Playgroups come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and are located all over Australia. This article looks at the groups on offer, how to access them and what they offer.

9 gorgeous books about starting child care
9 lovely books about transitioning into child care or preschool after a life based at home.

8 gift ideas for your amazing early childhood educator
8 gift ideas for your amazing early childhood educator.

Your end of year child care checklist
Your end of year child care checklist.

Is your child ready to start school?
Is your child ready to start school?

Alternative Child Care Solutions for After School | CareforKids.com.au
With a rise in dual-income families and a booming school-age population, many families are searching for alternative solutions to outside school hours care.

How to spot an excellent early childhood education and care service
How to spot an excellent early childhood education and care service.

The Child Care Guide download your free copy
The Child Care Guide download your free copy.

What outcomes should parents expect from early childhood education and care?
What outcomes should parents expect from early childhood education and care?

Drop off and pick up solutions for parents working non-standard hours
Drop off and pick up solutions for parents working non-standard hours.

Why is it important for educators to nurture children's creativity?
Why is it important for educators to nurture children's creativity?

11 products parents should avoid
11 products CHOICE recommends you don't buy for your child.

BubDesk the innovative way to combine work and child care
BubDesk the innovative way to combine work and child care.

18 ways to co-parent after a separation
18 ways to co-parent after a separation.

High quality early childhood education may lead to tertiary success
Research shows children who attend a high quality early childhood program may be more likely to receive a tertiary qualification in later life.

The Government Register that's keeping child care services honest
Early childhood services are responsible for the care of young children and are recipients of Government funding, so it's only fair that they're accountable.

The rise of the Australian Mumpreneur
Online business network, Mums & Co , says there are more than 300,000 business owner mothers in this country, with that figure set to rise.

End of Year - Child Care Checklist
A few key things you need to do before you pack up for the silly season.

Frequently asked questions about child care | CareforKids.com.au
The Australian child care system is complex. CareforKids.com.au has been a hub of frequently asked child care questions and information.

Useful links
Child care related websites from government, parent organisations and peak bodies which families may find useful when researching and choosing care.