Childcare
Which Childcare Option is Right for You? We’re lucky to have so many childcare choices available to us in Queensland, and they come with a range of benefits for you and your child. Childcare can allow parents to return to work or study or simply to have a little regular “me time”, and children in a childcare environment have the opportunity to hone their social skills, participate in regular learning activities and prepare for school. Our guide to the different types of childcare available will help you find the right option to suit your needs.
Family Day Care
Long Day Care
Family day care is a home-from-home environment, usually for children aged from birth to 12 years old. Carers can look after up to seven children at a time in their home, with a maximum of four being below school age. This figure includes their own children under 13 years of age if no other adult is available to care for them. Each family day care educator will set their own working hours and fee structure and can choose to provide nappies and meals or request that you supply your own.
Long day care is great if you work a full day and need to factor in commute time too. Most long day care providers operate at least 10 hours per day, Monday to Friday, but may close on public holidays or at other times of the year.
Family day care can offer the most flexible care options with some educators also offering overnight and weekend care. All family day care providers must comply with set legislative requirements regarding education, first aid and childcare certification, excursion planning, insurance and record keeping. FAMILY DAY CARE CONSIDERATIONS µ home-from-home environment µ small groups µ flexible arrangements µ one carer that your child can bond with µ alternative arrangements may be required at short notice if the carer is unavailable
Long day care is usually provided in a centre and structured around agespecific rooms, often with planned educational activities and visiting activity and entertainment providers. There is a minimum educator-to-child ratio that varies according to the age of the children in the group. In Queensland that’s 1:4 for infants under 2 years old, 1:5 for children aged between 24 and 36 months, and 1:11 for pre-schoolers aged 3 years and over. Each centre may set its own fees based around the facilities and staffing provided. Most long day care centres now offer the option to book a half day or a full day, but you will pay the full amount for the period booked even if you only use a small part of it. Many long day care providers further ease the burden on time-poor parents by providing nutritious meals and nappies, and most offer an approved Kindergarten program for children turning 4 years old by June 30 of the year – no double drop-offs and pick-ups for pre-school siblings! LONG DAY CARE CONSIDERATIONS µ open weekdays for early drop-offs and late pick-ups
Nannies and Au Pairs
µ nutritious meals and nappies often included
A nanny or au pair will take care of your children in your own home and provide assistance with feeding, bathing and dressing your child, taking your child to school, appointments and activities, and light household chores as required.
µ a team of staff always available
µ bigger facilities can mean more scope for activities and entertainment µ bigger ‘classes’ of children to socialise with
There are several agencies in Brisbane who will help you find a nanny or au pair to match your needs, and each agency will have its own standards for vetting and skills-testing the nannies and/or au pairs on their books. It’s important to choose a good agency and ask lots of questions to get the right nanny or au pair for you. A nanny is an experienced and qualified childcare worker who will work set hours in your home before returning to their own. An au pair is usually an overseas visitor looking for work experience in Australia and may live with you as part of your family whilst looking after your children. A nanny will be paid an hourly rate and an au pair will receive ‘pocket money’ in addition to food, board and other incidentals such as internet access and transport. Read our article for more information about hiring an au pair: www.familiesmagazine.com.au/au-pair-cost/ NANNY AND AU PAIR CONSIDERATIONS µ ‘at home’ routine is maintained for your child µ a nanny could be part-time or live in; an au pair will usually live with your family µ convenient care to suit your requirements
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Your Local Families Magazine October / November 2019 www.familiesmagazine.com.au