Child care centers are formal child care facilities used across Australia. Child care centers may be part-time or full-time and cater to children 12 years and under. There are many reasons why parents may choose to send their children to these centres, including the parents' employment, study or other commitments. Whatever the reason may be, it is important to find a child care centre or day care centre to suit your requirements. 

What are child care centers?

Child care centers may be located on a small scale inside shopping centers or schools, or they may be large-scale facilities with their own grounds. These centers typically operate from 5 am to 6 pm. The state government has set rules with regards to how many children can be taken in by a child care center. Workers in these centers are known as carers, and there are also specific rules as to how many carers there should be for a certain amount of children. 

Cost of child care

Currently, NSW is the most expensive state for child care. Some centers will charge less for shorter periods of time; however, most will charge for the entire day regardless of how many hours you send your child for. There are government rebates available for child care, and these depend upon the income that you earn. Check online or speak to a professional for specific details.

What activities do children do at child care?

It can be daunting to send your children to child care centers when you don't know what they will be doing all day and whether their needs will be cared for. You can rest assured that carers are trained and qualified to ensure that children's needs are cared for and that they are not in any kind of distress. Should your child show any signs of distress, they will immediately call you. Additionally, they will also carefully look after your children's specific dietary requirements whether you are providing them with food or if it is being provided by the center. They will make sure that your child does not come in contact with any allergens or foods they aren't allowed to have.

Your child will undertake a range of activities on a daily basis to help facilitate their learning and development. These activities include arts and crafts, excursions, cooking, reading, sports and games. They will be part of a stimulating but supervised environment where they can enjoy these activities in a safe manner. 

Before selecting the right child care center to suit your needs, take some time to visit local child care centers and speak to professionals to gain as much information as possible.