How to find affordable, quality childcare options in Australia
For most working parents, finding childcare is an essential part of their lives. Unless you have the luxury of being able to stay at home and look after your little ones, you will need to find a suitable solution for their care. Fortunately, there are many options available, whether you require childcare for only a few hours or days per week or you need full-time care while you're at work. Here are our tips to help you find the perfect childcare solution for your needs.
1. Identify the type of care you want
There are several childcare options available depending on your situation and the ages of your children. It is important to understand which option suits you best. Some of the available options include:
- Long day care: This is an ideal option for working parents who require childcare during business hours. These centres typically operate from Monday to Friday for at least 8 hours a day and look after children from birth to school age.
- Family day care: Ideal for parents who prefer their children to learn and play in small groups in a home-like environment. Family daycare services cater to children from birth to 12 years and are held in the home of a registered educator.
- Preschool or kindergarten services: These cater to children between three and five years of age, making it a good fit for parents with children who are almost ready for primary school.
- Outside school hours childcare: This service is offered before and after school and/or during school holidays and works well for parents with school-age children who need care outside of school hours.
- Grandparents: They can be an excellent option for childcare. Many grandparents are happy to look after their grandchild for a set amount of time or on specific days.
- Hiring a nanny or babysitter for in-home care: This is another choice for parents who want more personalised care for their children.
You can also visit Starting Blocks to find local options for childcare, including long daycare, family daycare, preschool, and outside school hours care.
2. Understand the National Quality Framework and Standards
The National Quality Framework is an initiative aimed at enhancing the quality of early childhood education and care services in Australia. All service providers are assessed and rated across seven key quality areas:
- Educational program and practice
- Children’s health and safety
- The physical environment
- Staffing arrangements
- Relationships with children
- Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
- Governance and leadership
It's important to understand the quality rating of your preferred provider as assessments can result in one of five ratings, ranging from excellent to significant improvement required.
3. Make a shortlist and investigate
As parents, we all want to find the best possible childcare or early learning service for our children. To decide whether a service will be suitable for your family, you should visit the service at least once to observe what happens on a day-to-day basis. This can help you build a clear picture of whether the centre will meet your family and child’s needs. It’s also important to ask questions. For example, if you have a toddler starting at a childcare service, you might want to ask the following questions:
- How will staff comfort your child if they become upset or have difficulty separating from you when they start?
- How will you be informed about your child’s eating, sleeping and toileting during the day?
- How will your child be supported when they are toilet training?
- Who will be your child’s main carer/s?
- Will your child be able to follow the same routine they have at home?
- How will staff guide your child’s behaviour?
- What will the program look like for your child?
- How can you share information about your child with his or her carer/s?
4. Apply for the Child Care Subsidy
The Australian Government offers subsidies for childcare and also runs grant programs for service providers in disadvantaged regional, remote and Indigenous Communities. The amount of Child Care Subsidy you can receive is dependent on factors such as your family income, the number and ages of children in care and the type of care required. If your family income is $80,000 or less, you may be eligible for a childcare subsidy rate starting from 90% of the total cost. In addition, Indigenous Australians qualify for at least 36 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, regardless of income. You can check the Starting Blocks childcare subsidy calculator to determine your eligibility for financial assistance and your out-of-pocket expenses.
5. Get familiar with MyGov
Many Government services can be accessed through MyGov or through the MyGov app, which is available on Android and iPhone. After logging in to MyGov, you can use various tools to find suitable childcare services. Plus, you can browse "raising kids" to learn about the assistance available for childcare fees.
Learning starts from birth
The process of acquiring knowledge begins from the moment a child is born, and the first five years are the most crucial for learning.
We understand that raising a child can be expensive, so if you need some financial assistance to support your child’s development, we’re here to help. Check out our cash loans up to $5,000 to find out how quick and easy it is to get some extra funds. Once a loan is approved, the cash is usually in your bank account within a few hours - ensuring a brighter future for your kids.