Early childhood education and care service activity type code N[N]

Guide for use:

CODE 1 Long day care

Long day care is a centre-based form of child care service providing all-day or part-time care for children of working families and the general community (services may cater to specific groups within the general community). For-profit and not-for-profit organisations, local councils, community organisations and employers may run these services.

Long day care primarily provide long day care services for children aged 0–5 years. Some long day care may also provide preschool and kindergarten programs and care for school children before and after school and during school holidays, where state and territory government regulations allow this. The service may operate from stand-alone or shared premises, including those on school grounds.

CODE 2 Occasional care

Occasional care, comprises services usually provided at a centre on an hourly or sessional basis for short periods or at irregular intervals for parents who need time to attend appointments, take care of personal matters, undertake casual and part time employment, study or have temporary respite from full time parenting. These services provide developmental activities for children and are aimed primarily at 0–5 year olds. Centres providing these services usually employ a mix of qualified and other staff.

CODE 3 Outside school hours care

Outside School Hours Care, comprises services that provide care for school aged children before school, after school, during school holidays, and on pupil free days. Outside school hours care may use stand-alone facilities, share school buildings and grounds and/or share facilities such as community halls.

CODE 4 Vacation care

Vacation Care, comprises services provided for school aged children during school holidays only.

CODE 5 Family day care

Family day care, comprises services providing small group care for children in the home environment of a registered carer. Care is primarily aimed at 0–5 year olds, but primary school children may also receive care before and after school, and during school holidays. Educators work in partnership with scheme management and coordination unit staff.

CODE 6 In-home care

In-home care, comprises services where an approved carer provides care in the child’s home. Families eligible for in-home care include families where the parent/s or child has an illness or disability; families in rural or remote areas; parents working shift work or non-standard hours; families with more than two children from a multiple birth and/or more than two children under school age; and families where a breastfeeding mother is working from home.

CODE 7 Preschool

Preschool: comprises services providing a structured, play based learning program, delivered by a degree qualified teacher primarily aimed at children in the year before they commence full-time schooling. The terms most commonly used to describe preschool in states and territories are:

• Kindergarten – Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania.

• Kindergarten or Preschool – Victoria, South Australia.

• Preschool – New South Wales, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory.