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Child care comes in many shapes and sizes these days. From the structure of long day care, to the last-minute school run provided by grandparents, working parents are using every available avenue to ensure their children are happily cared for during their working hours.
However, our 2016 Annual Survey, in which 4,380 people shared their views on the Australia's current child care system, revealed that 32 per cent of respondents found it difficult to find suitable care.
So what are all the child care options available, and what are the prost and cons for each?
Long day care
With 75 per cent of respondents to our survey using long day care services (or child care centres), and this being the most popular form of child care in Australia, long day care centres are often the first port of call for parents looking for child care.
The pros
- Typically open from 7.00am to 6.00pm and open 48 weeks a year, long day care is a popular choice for those working full time or inflexible hours.
- Catering for birth to five years they offer regular care for younger children all the way through until school age.
- The centres are eligible for both the Child Care Rebate (CCR) and Child Care Benefit (CCB).
- Centres operate under the National Quality Framework (NQF), incorporating quality, standards and educational frameworks.
The cons
- Costs can vary significantly between centres.
- Parents pay for public holidays, even though the centre is closed.
- Standards can also vary, so visiting several centres and asking local friends is recommended.
- Waiting lists can be long and places hard to come by in the popular centres.
Grandparents
Because child care places are costly and places are often hard to secure quickly, 21 per cent of CFK survey respondents are now using grandparents as a form of child care, and this number is set to steadily rise. The decision to regularly use grandparents is one to be considered carefully, and parents should talk openly to the grandparents to ensure they are up to the task.
The pros
- Care is often free, though if so it is nice to offer occasional gifts to compensate.
- Grandparents are eligible to claim Grandparent Child Care Benefit (GCCB).
- Care is flexible, if you are often caught late at work.
- It offers grandparents an opportunity to bond with their grandchildren.
- You are reassured that a trusted family member is caring for your child.
The cons
- It is a big commitment from grandparents and could become a strain or impinge on their other commitments.
- There won’t be the structured education framework of formal care.
- Child doesn’t experience the social interaction that is available in group-based child care.
- Grandparents might have different views on issues such as discipline or food.
Family day care
A middle ground between long day care and stay-at-home care, family day care offers home-based care for children from babies to school age. Children are in a small group of no more than four. Some also offer our of hours care for school-aged children.
The pros
- It is eligible for both the Child Care Rebate (CCR) and Child Care Benefit (CCB).
- Centres operate under the National Quality Framework (NQF), incorporating quality, standards and educational frameworks.
- Care is provided by an individual approved educator in a familiar, home environment.
- Hours are sometimes flexible, supporting shift workers.
- It is one of the more affordable child care options.
The cons
- If the educator is sick or unable to work, your child care may also be closed if they don’t have a back-up carer.
- It can be difficult to get a place.
- A lot depends on the carer, so look around.
Nannies
One of the more flexible forms of child care but also the most expensive, nannies often suit those whose needs aren’t met by the other modes of childcare. Nannies can be live in, live out, or you can also nanny share with another family. Only 7 per cent of respondents from the CFK survey currently use a nanny or au pair service, and only 0.92 per cent of those are part of the nanny pilot programme.
The pros
- Care is conducted in your own home, in a familiar environment.
- Care is flexible.
- Child gets individual attention and consistent care from one person.
- Some nannies may also help around the house.
The cons
- It can be expensive.
- A few carers are registered, but most are not, which means they are not eligible for Child Care Benefit (CCB).
- Child may miss out on social interactions.
- You may feel you lose privacy, should you have a live-in nanny.
- You will need a back-up carer, should the nanny be sick or take a holiday.
Au Pair
An au pair is a foreign national in Australia for cultural exchange purposes and lives as part of the family in exchange for child care and a small allowance.
The pros
- Care is conducted in your own home, in a familiar environment.
- Care is flexible and extra care is usually available at short notice, if you need it.
- Au pairs will often help with household duties.
- It can be an affordable.
The cons
- You will need to provide board.
- You may feel you lose privacy, sharing your house with someone else.
- The au pair can only stay for a maximum of one year.
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