Early childhood education and care services in Queensland
There is a range of early childhood education and care services available in Queensland to meet the needs of children and families. Services cater for children aged from birth to six years of age. The following information can help you to make an informed choice about the most appropriate care and education service for your family.
Playgroups
Playgroups are groups of parents, grandparents, caregivers and children who come together to provide the children with opportunities to play and interact. Playgroups are conducted under the guidelines of the Playgroup Association of Queensland Incorporated.
All playgroups are different although there are some key features:
- Children attending are primarily aged from birth to school age.
- Children’s play is guided and supported by parents, grandparents and caregivers.
- Sessions are aimed at providing a stimulating learning environment with a variety of early learning experiences.
- Sessions are usually held once a week for two hours and are held in venues such as community and neighbourhood centres, church halls, kindergartens or individuals homes.
- Playgroup sessions may require attendees to contribute a small donation to support the operation of the group.
Some playgroups offer additional support for families, or may include families with similar circumstances, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, families from culturally and linguistically diverse groups, young parents or fathers' groups.
For further information on joining a local playgroup or starting a new one, please contact the
- Organisation:
- Playgroup Association
- Telephone:
- 1800 171 882
- Website:
- www.playgroupaustralia.com.au
(Calls from mobile phones are charged at the applicable rate)
Centre based services
Centre based services are required to hold a licence and must comply with the legislative standards of the Child Care Act 2002 and the Child Care Regulation 2003. These services include:
Long day care centres
Key features:
- Children attending are primarily aged from birth to school age. Sometimes, school children up to twelve years old may attend outside of school hours.
- Programs are designed and implemented by staff who are required to hold relevant qualifications specified by legislation.
- Hours of operation should be confirmed with individual service providers. However, as a general guide, many services operate for at least ten hours a day from Monday to Friday for at least 48 weeks of the year.
- Long day care centres usually offer care on a full or part time basis.
- Many long day care centres employ a teacher(s) to lead the programs. Queries about staff qualifications should be directed to the service.
Limited hours care centres
Key features:
- Children attending can be aged from birth to school age.
- Programs are designed and implemented by staff who are required to hold relevant qualifications specified by legislation.
- Services operate for up to 20 hours in a week. Parents will need to check with service providers to find out the hours, days and weeks of operation.
- Children can only attend for a maximum of twelve hours per week.
Kindergartens
Kindergarten programs may be offered by:
- the Crèche and Kindergarten Association of Queensland (C&K)
- a community group affiliated with C&K
- a non-state school
- a private individual, group or organisation.
Key features of C&K kindergartens:
- Children attending must turn four by the 30 June in the year of enrolment.
- Programs are designed and implemented by a registered early childhood teacher.
- Hours of operation vary and should be confirmed with the individual services. Programs may be part-time (eg. two or three days a week) and may run to school terms and hours or on a half day basis.
For further information about the features of other kindergarten’s programs, parents will need to check with the service provider.
School based services
The Preparatory Year
From 2007, a full time, non compulsory, Prep Year was introduced into the Queensland state education system to replace preschool. It is offered in all state schools and most accredited non-state schools with primary enrolments. Prep is provided under the provisions of the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006and the Education (General Provisions) Regulations 2006.
The introduction of the Prep into Queensland primary schools has resulted in some legislative changes that impact on the provision of child care services. For further information on the impact of Prep on child care services, please refer to the Introduction of the Prep Year fact sheet.
Key features:
- Prep is a full time non-compulsory year of schooling immediately preceding Year One.
- Children must turn five by 30 June in the year of enrolment to be eligible to attend.
- There is no early entry to Prep for Queensland residents, however, there is consideration for early entry for children of families transferring from overseas and interstate.
- Programs are delivered by a registered teacher as an integral part of primary school education.
For further information about Prep contact your local school or visit the Department of Education, Training and the Arts website.
School age care
School age care includes before and after school hours care and may include vacation care programs. With the exception of services providing vacation care only, school age care services are required to hold a licence and must comply with the legislative standards of the Child Care Act 2002 and the Child Care Regulation 2003.
Key features:
- Children attending must be school children, that is, enrolled in and regularly attending a school. This includes preparatory year children.
- Programs are designed and implemented by staff who are required to hold relevant qualifications specified by legislation.
- School age care is offered in the hours before and/or after school hours. As the operating hours of these services may vary, parents need to check the hours with individual service providers.
Some services offer a vacation care program, comprising of full day programs during school holidays and often include full day programs on pupil free days. Availability and details should be confirmed with individual service providers.
Home based services
Family Day Care
Family day care schemes are required to hold a licence and must comply with the legislative standards of the Child Care Act 2002 and the Child Care Regulation 2003.
Key features:
- The schemes engage carers who provide care for children (from birth to twelve years) in their own home.
- The carers are supported and monitored by a coordinator employed by the scheme and may work from coordination units.
- Carers may provide care for up to seven children. Children who are not yet school children can take up to four of these places.
- Scheme coordinators are required to hold a qualification, which may include an early childhood qualification, as specified under the child care legislation.
- Carers are not required to hold a qualification, although many do study various early childhood qualifications.
- Carers determine their own hours of work and fee arrangements. This may provide families with some flexibility.
- Enquiries about the availability and locations of carers may be directed to a particular scheme. Please contact the Child Care Information Service on 1800 637 711 for the contact details of your local Family Day Care Scheme.
(Calls from mobile phones are charged at the applicable rate)
Securing a place for your child
Many early childhood education and care services use waiting lists, so families may need to plan ahead to ensure they secure a place for their child in the service of their choice.