Licensed, unlicensed or informal...
Some child care options must be licensed and comply with State Government regulations and Commonwealth accreditation standards.
Family Day Care and Child Care Centres are licensed to provide child care for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. Some may also offer places for primary school age children before and after school, during vacations and on pupil-free days.
Outside School Hours Family Day Care and Outside School Hours Care Centres are licensed to provide child care for school age children from Kindergarten age. Some offer places for children up to 15 years and 6 months.
Crèche services operate in venues such as gyms, sports and recreation centres. Typically, these services are not licensed as parents stay close by and remain responsible for their children. However, providers have a duty of care to keep children safe and protected from harm.
In-home care is provided by a registered carer who comes to your home and is supported by the Australian Government. Although availability is sometimes limited, if your family has difficulty accessing other child care, this might be an option.
Nannies and Babysitters provide care for children in their own home. There are specialist agencies that arrange this type of care or families make their own arrangements. Many families use babysitters to care for children for one-off events such as a night out. Nannies are usually employed on a long-term basis. Professional agencies require nannies and babysitters to have a current Working wtih Children Card.
In-home care, nannies and babysitting services are not licensed because children are cared for in their own home.
How can I find out what's available?
You can call the Parenting WA Line on 6279 1200 (Metro) or 1800 654 432 (STD Freecall) and talk to one of our local Children's Services Coordinators.
Call the Child Care Access Hotline on 1800 670 305 (STD Freecall).
Ask friends for recommendations; look in the yellow pages; contact your local Family Day Care Scheme or Child Health Nurse.
Updated: May 2009