Childcare Options for Toddlers: A parent’s guide

As your child grows, an important consideration is childcare options, especially when you are planning to go back to work. Traditionally one of the first and favourite childcare options for many has been grandparents, so if you have that option, and they’re willing, it will be a great choice. However as many women are having babies later in life these days sadly that means grandparents aren’t always around to give support. So where does that leave you?

A popular childcare option is community or private childcare centres . There are many about, however, it can still be difficult to find a place. The best advice is to register as early as possible, probably even before your child had been born.  Waiting lists in popular areas are long and it can take years for a place to appear.

Another option is Family Day Care, which is a childcare scheme run through local councils. Again it pays to apply early as there are waiting lists, however they  tend to be shorter. With Family Day Care, a qualified carer looks after a maximum of five children in their home and every carer has to be registered and qualified to participate.  To ensure they meet requirements, they undergo extra training in areas such as First Aid, and they receive regular checks from council to ensure standards are maintained.

Both schemes have their pros and cons. Many prefer childcare centres as there can be more structure and more activities for your child. But Family Day Care can also offer these qualities if you find the right carer. Rates will vary from place to place but in general, childcare centres are more expensive than Family Day Care. Both options should be eligible for the Government’s Child Care Rebate and Child Care Benefit, but do confirm that with the care facility you’re considering. There are financial support options for families; full details are available via the Government’s Centrelink website.

For those who can afford it, another option might be a private nanny. Nannies are not eligible for childcare financial support and they can be quite expensive. The benefits however are that your child is looked after in your own home and receives one-on-one care. Again, when your child is a little older, a childcare centre or even pre-school can sometimes be of benefit to help your child develop their social skills when they interact with other children.

Whichever childcare option you decide on, the important thing is to ensure you feel comfortable with the carer, and that your child is happy. It can be very difficult when you first start your child in care, as they are likely to be upset when you leave them, and you’re not going to be feeling great either! But before you know it, they’ll probably be having a ball with their new friends, and with lots of new toys to play with!

And one final tip: childcare can be expensive, even with Government support so a savings plan can be a good idea, and/or income protection insurance might be worth considering, particularly if you’re surviving on one income. Then being able to find the money for childcare in the event of an emergency is just one less thing to worry about.

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