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Childcare fro School-age Children - Options

When people talk about childcare, they usually mean childcare for pre-schoolers. However, there are times when school age children often need care as well - when they are sick, during school holidays, before or after school.

• Parents taking holidays - Some parents are lucky enough to have a job which is flexible enough to fit around school terms, or are able to work at home when necessary.
   
• Nannies - Live-in carers who look after the children and who may be responsible for any child-related tasks. An Au Pair is a foreign national who is on an exchange program who has much the same role as a nanny.  
  • Important considerations:
    • Are they qualified, experienced, and do they have a Blue Card?
    • Do they engage well with your children and do your children like them?
    • Will they spend all their time with your family - will they eat dinner with you, go on holidays with you? Will they have free time?
    • What will happen if they get sick?
       
• Relatives - Using a relative or many relatives as either full-time or part-time child carers. 
  • Important considerations:
    • Do your relatives have the time, facilities, and energy to look after school-age children?
    • Do they get on well with your children?
    • Relatives need time to themselves too.  
       
• Family day care - Child care operating out of private homes. There may be other children who will be looked after . Some caregivers provide before and afterschool care for school age children. Activities can occur in the home or outside of the home - e.g. at a park, shopping centre.    
  • Important considerations:
    • How many children will be looked after at the one time? There are restrictions on the number of children providers are allowed to look after at one time.
    • Who else will be in the home with the children?
  • What qualifications or experience does the operator have?
  • What activities will the children be doing?
  • Do they provide food and drink?
  • What happens when they are sick?
  • Will your child be encouraged to do homework, or get assistance with it?


• Before/After school care - These are often run by schools and other organisations in school grounds during school terms, with all-day programs during holidays.
  • Important considerations:
    • How many children will be looked after at the one time? There are restrictions on the number of children providers are allowed to look after at one time.
  • What qualifications or experience does the operator have?
  • What activities will the children be doing?
  • Do they provide food and drink?
  • Will your child be encouraged to do homework, or get assistance with it?

Read more on childcare and other issues at No School Today: Talking Points