New Focus on Quality in Family Day Care and Outside School Hours Care
The Brumby Government is investing to support changes to the Children’s Services Act 1996, which will regulate family day care and outside school hours care for the first time.
$16.5 Million Over Four Years to Support New Child Care Regulations
Around 75,000 children in Victoria attend family day care and outside school hours care.
There are 84 family day care centres, which have more than 3000 family day carers and 900 outside school hours care providers in the State.
Changes to the Children’s Services Act 1996 will see these services regulated for the first time, joining other services such as kindergarten, long day care and occasional care.
This means all types of formal education and care services looking after children in Victoria will now be monitored, providing parents with greater confidence by the enforcement of minimum safety and developmental standards.
New regional and central office staff will be employed and trained to help administer the Act, including licensing, monitoring and supporting these providers.
Capital grants will be provided to services to ensure compliance with the new Act and the children’s services database will also be redeveloped to accommodate new services.
More information
Victorian State Budget 2008-2009
Victorian State Budget website (http://www.budget.vic.gov.au)