Term breaks, school holidays or perhaps a Daycare closure? Discover nurturing and educational vacation care options from registered providers near you.
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New South Wales Western Australia Victoria ACT Queensland Northern Territory South Australia TasmaniaIn Australia we have 7,339 Vacation Care services
The average cost is $8.01 hourly, $80.12 daily (10 hours)
The average National Standard Rating (NQS) is Meeting National Quality Standard.
The school day and the working day rarely line up, and that gap at either end is where most parents start juggling. Outside school hours care (OSHC) covers the mornings before the bell, the afternoons until around 6pm, pupil-free days and the school holidays. A good service gives kids time to run around outside and catch up with friends from other year levels after a big day in the classroom. Quality does vary from one service to the next, though, and in many suburbs places are hard to come by. Find out what OSHC includes, what it costs once the Child Care Subsidy is applied and what experts say good services do differently. You'll also find the questions worth asking on a visit, plus what to do if your school's service is already full. A little planning now can make every school day run more smoothly for your family.
Demand for OSHC outstrips supply across much of Australia, and researchers estimate only around one in five primary school students has a place available on any given school day. The upside is that there are more ways to cover the hours between the school bell and the end of the working day than most parents realise. Family day care educators can do school pick-ups, and a nanny share lets two families split the cost of one carer. A reliable babysitter or a roster with other parents can fill in the odd afternoon too. Find out how each option works, what it costs, which ones attract the Child Care Subsidy and how to piece together a plan that suits your week.
Starting big school is a huge milestone, and for working parents it comes with a brand new puzzle. Who's looking after the kids before the bell and after the school day finishes? Many parents assume a place in the school's before and after school care program comes with enrolment, then discover a waitlist. Peak bodies say families in high-demand areas are turned away from OSHC every week, so the earlier you plan, the better your chances. Find out when to book and how much before and after school care costs once the Child Care Subsidy kicks in. We also look at what to do if you miss out, from grandparents and family day care to after school activities, plus how to use your right to request flexible work so the school run fits around your job. Start early and you'll head into term one with a plan that works.
Sessional kinder usually closes for the school holidays, which can leave working parents of under-6s searching for care. Long day care, family day care and occasional care generally stay open all year, and some vacation care services can take a limited number of preschool-aged children. Many centres also offer flexible or casual enrolments, so you can add days just for the break. Approved holiday care is covered by the Child Care Subsidy, and the 3 Day Guarantee means eligible families can get at least 72 subsidised hours a fortnight. You can compare holiday care options near you and check your costs with Care for Kids.
The end of year break is nearly here, and with it the chance to spend some proper time together as a family. Getting there with little ones in tow is another story. Long car trips and a toddler who won't settle in a strange cot can test even the calmest parent. The good news is that a little preparation goes a long way. Parenting experts say planning ahead and staying flexible are the two things that make the biggest difference, and sleep researchers have simple, free tricks for helping kids adjust to a new time zone. Find out how to choose a destination that works for every age, what to pack, how to prepare your child for the airport and how to keep everyone fed and entertained on travel days. There's also advice on what to do when things don't go to plan.
