Long day care provides centre-based child care and education for children from birth to 5 years.  A long day care centre provides extended hours to offer support to families who work or study.  Children can attend a long day care centre in a full-time or part-time basis depending on the requirements of the family and the availability of care.

 Long day care centres provide an environment where children can play, learn and develop. Long day care centres nurture a child’s development through the provision of age appropriate educational opportunities, including play, group activities, structured and unstructured time, rest time and meal times.

How can I access long day care?

 As many families are seeking quality child care, it is important to begin the process well before requiring child care.  Early planning and investigation ensures families make an informed decision about the long day care centre that best meets their needs.

 Families are able to visit services and discuss enrolment proceedures.

Accreditation

 The Child Care Quality Assurance (CCQA) system aims to provide children in long day care throughout Australia with quality care that best promotes learning and development in their vital, early years.

 The broad objective of the CCQA system is to ensure that children in long day care have stimulating, positive experiences that foster all aspects of their development.  It does this by defining quality in long day care and providing a way to measure the quality of care.

The 7 Quality Areas ensure that services are providing children with the best possible experiences.

 Services that provide a high level of care and positive experiences for children will meet the standards of the CCQA become Accredited by the National Childcare Accreditation Council (NCAC).  These services will be awarded a Certificate of Accreditation which should be displayed in a prominent place. 

Licensing

Department of Community Services (DoCS) has made Regulations under the Children and Young  Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 that deals with the following matters: