Find Child Care
Find Approved Child Care Near You
Search over 18,000 approved child care services across Australia. Compare quality ratings, service types, and find the right fit for your family.
Browse by State
Find child care centres in your state or territory
Types of Child Care
Understanding the different types of approved child care in Australia
Long Day Care
Full-day care for children 0-5 years. Open 7am–6pm weekdays. Ideal for working families needing consistent, structured care with qualified educators.
Family Day Care
Small group care in an educator's home. Max 4 children under school age per educator. More intimate, home-like environment with mixed age groups.
Outside School Hours Care
Before and after school care, plus vacation care during school holidays. For primary school-aged children (5-12 years).
In Home Care
Educator comes to your home. For families in remote areas, with non-standard hours, or children with additional needs.
Finding the Right Child Care
1. Check Quality Ratings
Every approved service is assessed against the National Quality Standard. Look for services rated "Meeting" or "Exceeding" NQS. You can check ratings on our centre pages or on the Starting Blocks website.
2. Visit in Person
Nothing replaces visiting a centre in person. Observe how educators interact with children, check the indoor and outdoor environments, and ask about their educational program and philosophy.
3. Understand Your Subsidy
The Child Care Subsidy can cover up to 90% of your fees. Your entitlement depends on family income, activity levels, and the type of care. Use our calculator to estimate your out-of-pocket costs.
4. Consider Practical Factors
Location (close to home or work?), opening hours, waitlist length, fees, meal provisions, and the staff-to-child ratio all matter. Ask about their approach to settling in new children.
5. Ask the Right Questions
How do they handle transitions between rooms? What's their sick child policy? How do they communicate with parents? Do they offer additional programs (e.g., music, languages)? What's the staff turnover like?
6. Trust Your Instincts
You know your child best. Look for a place where your child will feel safe, happy, and stimulated. A warm, welcoming atmosphere and engaged educators are the most important things.
Useful Resources
💰 CCS Calculator
Estimate your Child Care Subsidy entitlement
⭐ Quality Standards
Understanding the 7 NQS quality areas
📊 Quality Ratings
What the rating levels mean
🏡 FDC vs LDC
Compare family day care and long day care
👶 1-2 Year Development
Milestones and what to expect
🧒 2-3 Year Development
Milestones and what to expect