On this page Content components Childcare provides education and care for children from birth to before they start school. It focuses on learning through play and supports a family’s care needs, often with flexible and extended hours. All childcare options are taught by qualified early childhood educators.On this page, you can learn about childcare options in Boroondara which include:long day careoccasional carefamily day care.What’s the difference between childcare and kindergarten?Kindergarten is a funded early childhood program for children in the 2 years before they start school, usually from the ages of 3 to 5. Kindergarten programs are run by a degree qualified teacher. It focuses on children’s learning, development and preparation for school. For general information about kindergarten, visit our kindergarten page.Kindergarten in a long day care settingMany long day care services offer a funded kindergarten program combined with extra hours of care. To learn about kindergarten programs at long day care services, visit our Kindergarten options and eligibility page.Benefits of childcareChildcare helps your child build confidence, make friends and learn through play. Many services operate 5 days a week for up to 11 hours a day, meaning they suit families with work or study commitments. Choosing a childcare serviceIt’s important to consider your family’s needs and preferences, such as the hours of care required and the environment that best suits your child, when choosing a service.The childcare options in Boroondara are run by a range of providers, including committees of volunteer parents, community organisations and private organisations. Council does not run or operate any childcare services in Boroondara.The different types of childcare are explained below to help you decide which option is best for your family. You can also find out about the different types of childcare at the Victorian Government website.Once you have decided which type of childcare is right for your family, you might like to use Raising Children Network's checklist to help decide on the individual childcare service you choose for your family. Types of childcare Long day care Long day care is the most common type of childcare. Aimed at 0 to 6 year olds, long day care is based in a centre, and the education and care programs are created around the developmental needs, interests and experiences of each child. Long day care centres typically operate for up to 11 hours a day, 5 days per week, for 48 weeks per year (including school holidays). Most long day care services offer a funded kindergarten program. When your child starts kinder, you can choose for them to attend the kinder program at their long day care service, which will offer continuity of care and extended hours of care. You can also choose for them to attend a kindergarten program at a standalone (sessional) kindergarten for a few days per week and continue attending the long day care service for childcare on other days. For more information about kindergarten, visit our kindergarten page. Occasional care Occasional care is a similar environment to long day care – safe, friendly and staffed with qualified educators – except the centre is set up for much shorter sessions and is likely to have a less formal booking process.Occasional care is designed for families who need a few hours of care to get some rest or exercise, attend an appointment or a job interview. Some centres are set up for occasional care only and might only offer care at certain times during the week. Family day care Family day care can be for children from birth through school age. The care is provided by an individual educator who is an early childhood education and care professional, in their own home. Educators work with small groups of no more than 4 children under school age at any one time and may care for an additional 3 school-aged children, outside of school hours. Educators work with an approved service that carries out regular visits to monitor the children’s individual development and provides support.To find family day care providers in your area, go to the Family Day Care Australia website. Childcare costs The cost of childcare is an important consideration and can vary across different providers. If your first choice of provider is full, they may offer to add you to their waitlist. You may be charged a fee to join a waitlist.An Australian Government funded Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is available to help you with the cost of childcare. In some circumstances, you may also be eligible for Additional Child Care Subsidy. The Services Australia website can tell you if you’re eligible for a subsidy and how to claim it.To find out more about payments and services available, visit Service's Australia Accessing childcare page. ImmunisationUnder the Victorian Government's 'No Jab, No play’ legislation, your child will need to be immunised and you’ll need to show your child’s immunisation history statement when they enrol in childcare. Learn how to access your child's immunisation history statements.Use our immunisation calculator to see when your child is due for their vaccinations and add those dates to your calendar.Quality and safetyChildcare and kindergarten services are regulated and assessed under the National Quality Framework to ensure they meet quality and safety standards, and work to improve outcomes for children. There are also services and activities that are not regulated. Learn about which early childhood services are regulated in Victoria at the Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority.Services are assessed and rated against the National Quality Standard and receive a rating for 7 quality areas and an overall service quality rating. You may find this information helpful when choosing a service. Visit Starting Blocks for an overview of the assessment and rating process, and what each rating means.Find a serviceUse this map to find long day or occasional childcare centres within the City of Boroondara.To find childcare centres outside of the City of Boroondara, use the Australian Government’s Find Child Care tool. More information on childcareFor more information on childcare in Boroondara, please contact us:call (03) 9278 4014 email [email protected].
