Are you looking for childcare for your family?  We all want our kids to be well looked after, so it’s important to find a centre where you and your child feel comfortable. 

Not only should it offer a high level of care, but it also has to offer the services and facilities that are important to you.

Hours

Before you begin your search for childcare, decide what your family’s needs are. Do you need long hours of care, or a few hours here and there? Working parents will need childcare solutions that fit around working hours. Availability at short notice is essential for casual workers.

Some childcare centres offer both long day care and short day care, and may incorporate kindergarten programs into their curriculum as well. If you’re struggling to fit your work around the irregular hours of pre-school, this is a great option.

If you prefer a home-based environment, Family Day Care is an alternative to centre-based care. Family Day Care is where small group of children stay with an approved carer in their home for the day. Check with your local council for Family Day Care options near you.

If you just need a few hours of care here and there, Occasional Care is a good option. If you’ve got appointments, need time for chores, or want a couple of hours break from the kids, occasional care is a low cost option, and you don’t need to book well in advance. Ask your local council for Occasional Care centres in your area. 

For older children, Outside School Hours Care is great. Many primary schools have excellent facilities on their grounds, so kids can easily transition between school and care before and after school.

Location

Do you want a childcare centre close to home, or would it be easier if the centre is located on your way to work, or near your workplace. If you have older children at school, chose a childcare centre which is easy to get to on the school run.

What’s on offer?

Different child care centres run different programs, so talk with the staff to find out what’s on offer. If the centre caters for preschool-age kids, ask about their kindergarten curriculum, which can take the place of formal pre-school. Ask about the staff’s qualifications and the child to staff ratios.

Some centres follow a particular learning philosophy, so it’s important to agree with the values and mission statement. Some centres are privately-owned businesses, while others are council-run, and this can impact on the type of care and the facilities available – so ask about the management as well.

Food

While many centres provide meals and snacks, others require you to supply a packed lunch, so ask about catering. If your child suffers from allergies, ask about their first aid credentials – make sure they’re equipped with Epi Pens and fully trained staff.

Once you’ve decided what sort of child care your family needs and have chosen a centre that you like, you should get on the waiting list as soon as possible. Sometimes wait lists can be very long, and you may have to consider alternatives, even in the short term.

The Yellow Pages has more than 11,000 childcare centres listed from right around Australia. To find great childcare in your neighbourhood, search with Yellow Pages today.