Finding the right childcare or kindergarten for your child is important. Securing a place isn't always easy but we’ve brought Brisbane’s childcare and kindergarten resources together to help you.
Childcare
See our listings of contact details for many of Brisbane's childcare centres.
The Queensland Government has a free Child Care Information Service which you can call. Or use the online search tool to locate home or centre based childcare as well as early education services.
The Bub Hub website has an excellent overview of different care arrangements and explains the differences between long day care centres, family day care and occasional care. The Bub Hub also has a listing of the nanny and babysitting agencies in Brisbane, plus links to other organisations involved in the childcare industry.
If you have a nanny, or even just the occasional babysitter, make the small investment in household workers’ insurance from WorkCover Queensland. It doesn’t cost much and could save you thousands if your nanny (or any other worker) is hurt in your home.
There is also the API national child care referral service. They act as a broker to search and list all the relevant childcare places and fees in your location. You then contact each one and negotiate with the centre.
The National Childcare referral service recommends that you organise care arrangements at least 12 months before you need the care, as waiting lists for children under two can be from 12-18 months.
Only some Family Day care mothers take very young babies – many will only take older children.
Find the facts about Child Care Benefit from Centrelink.
Tips for choosing a centre:
- Check that the centre is adhering to the legal children to staff ratios
- Do the children look settled and happy and is there enough for them to do?
- Is the staff’s program available for your inspection – each room should have a weekly or monthly program and many display these on the wall
- Check the centre’s immunisation policy – some will take children who are not immunised
- Check how old the staff are in the babies room – are the more experienced carers in the babies room or with older children?
- Does the centre also offer before and after care for when your child starts school or kindy?
- Are the staff happy for you to drop in at any time?
- How high is the staff turnover?
- Once you are on waiting lists, keep in contact with the centre (without pestering!) to let them know you are still keen
- Read the handbook on hygiene policies and check if staff adhere to them (eg are they wearing gloves when changing nappies?)
- Is it safe? – eg are there gates in place to restrict little people from places that may be dangerous
Kindergarten
In Queensland, kindergarten (or kindy) is not an official part of formal school education, is not compulsory and is only part-time. Since 2007, kindergarten (sometimes called pre-prep) is available for children who turn four years of age by 30 June of that year.
One provider of kindergarten services is the Creche and Kindergarten Association (C&K). C&K have kindergartens across Brisbane and Queensland, which are based on learning through play. Fees apply. There are usually waiting lists and it is best to apply for enrolment as soon as possible. Programs are generally 2-days or 3-days per week, 9am- 2.30pm, Monday to Friday.
C&K also run childcare centres. Many other childcare centres also run kindergarten or pre-prep programs with qualified teachers.
See our directory for a listing of Brisbane childcare centres. Contact the centre directly to find out if they offer a kindergarten program. In child care centres, kindergarten may be offered five days a week, for extended hours.
After negotiating child care and kindergarten, you move into the next phase - primary schools.
