Child Care and Kindergarten

Your child should feel safe and happy and experience fulfilling learning and play while under someone else’s care.

As far as child care goes, each family will choose an option that best suits them.

For many families, their children will attend centre-based services such as kindergartens, long day care and occasional care services. The services are managed in a variety of ways by local councils, non-government agencies, parent committees, private businesses, TAFE colleges and universities.

Some child care centres in Victoria also offer a kindergarten program.

These centre-based services require a license to operate and must comply with a strict and comprehensive standard of service and safety requirements outlined in legislation. They are required to employ qualified staff and provide developmentally appropriate programs based on the needs, interests and experiences of each child.

Other children will be cared for by relatives or private nannies looking after them in their own homes; or attend family day care providers, or outside school hours care, which also requires a license to operate.

More information

• About Child Care - covers the different types of child care including long day care, occasional care and family day care
• About Kindergarten - information on the different benefits kindergarten gives your child
• Translated Resources - covers information about an interpreter service and a list of resources translated into languages other than English, including Chinese, Arabic, Somali, Punjabi and Vietnamese.