Children's services provide care and developmentally appropriate programs for children from birth to the end of their primary school years. A range of services is available to meet the different needs of children and families. These include kindergarten, long day care, family day care, occasional care and outside school hours care.

In Victoria, the State Government is responsible for regulating kindergartens, centre based long day care and occasional care services and provides funding which contributes to the provision of a kindergarten program for all eligible children in the year prior to school entry.

The Commonwealth Government has responsibility for the national child care policy. The Commonwealth Government funds long day care childcare places and provides subsidies for family day care schemes and outside school hours care in the form of Child Care Benefit.

Information on the Children's Services Regulations review is in the Children's Services Regulations Review page.

Kindergarten

In Victoria, the kindergarten program is a one-year program in the year prior to school entry. The Government's commitment is to ensure that all children aged four years in the year prior to school entry have the opportunity to access one year of quality kindergarten education. A fee subsidy is available for eligible children and families.

Funded kindergarten programs operate in a range of settings including purpose built stand alone kindergartens, community based and private child care centres, community halls and state and independent schools.

Kindergarten is important because it provides developmentally appropriate programs that further the social, emotional, cognitive, language and physical development of children. International and Australian research shows that participation in a kindergarten program helps children establish foundations to assist them for life.

Kindergarten participation helps to identify children who need extra support for their development, and offers the appropriate links to ensure children receive this assistance as early as possible.

The kindergarten environment also provides an opportunity for families to develop links within their communities and become more aware of support services.

Child Care Services

Centres that provide care or education for five or more children under the age of six years in the absence of their parents or guardians are required to be licensed in Victoria. This includes long day care centres, occasional care centres and kindergartens.

The requirements for licensing and regulation of a children's service in Victoria are outlined in the Children's Services Act 1996 (the Act) and the Children's Services Regulations 1998 (Regulations).

Centre based long day care

Services primarily aimed at 0-6 year olds are provided in a centre usually by a mix of qualified and other staff. Education and care programs are provided based on the developmental needs, interests and experience of each child. Centres typically operate for at least 8 hours a day on normal working days for a minimum of 48 weeks per year.

Long Day Care is subject to the Victorian Children's Services Act 1996 and Children's Services Regulations 1998. Funding for long day care is the responsibility of the Commonwealth Government.

Further information is available from: http://www.facs.gov.au/internet/facsinternet.nsf/childcare/families-long_day_care.htm  

Family day care

Services are provided in the carer's own home. The care is largely aimed at 0-5 year olds, but primary school children may also receive care before and after school, and during school vacations. Central coordination units in all States and Territories organise and support a network of carers. In Victoria these co-ordination units are often located within local councils.

In-home care

This service is a targeted form of child care where an approved carer provides care in the child's home. It is only available for families who do not have access to an existing child care service, or where an existing service cannot meet their needs.

Occasional care

Services are provided in a range of settings on an hourly or sessional basis for short periods of time, or at irregular intervals specifically for parents who need time to attend appointments, take care of personal matters, undertake casual or part-time employment, study or have temporary respite from full-time parenting. These services provide developmental activities for children and are aimed primarily at 0-5 year olds.

Outside school hours care (OSHC) programs

Outside school hours care (OSHC) programs are usually located close to primary schools, providing care for primary school age children, outside school hours and during school vacations. Care is also provided on pupil free days. OSHC programs may also be offered in locations such as community centres, halls, neighbourhood houses or recreation centres.