In Australia, the most common options when it comes to childcare are long day care, centre-based care, and family day care.
But which is the better for you and your child?
Long Day care vs centre-based care
Grazielle Panteria, who has been working as a childcare educator and nanny for five years, used to work full-time in a centre that catered to around 50 children. She shares that while entry to the childcare industry used to mean holding a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, the rules have now become more stringent, with some centres requiring their educators to have a diploma.
As a nanny, Ms Panteria knows the benefits of taking care of children on a one-on-one basis; however, she shares there are benefits to enrolling your child in a traditional childcare centre, such as:
Grazielle Panteria has been working as an educator for five years. Source: Grazielle Panteria
1. More socialisation and independence
Long day care provides children more opportunities to socialise and to assert independence simply because they have more peers around.
“This [socialisation] also helps their language skills, their problem-solving, increasing their resilience and independence, and basically their overall development,” Ms Panteria said.
2. More structure
Childcare centres provide a more structured environment, wherein indoor play, outdoor play, naps, nappy changes, eating and feeding are in place, scheduled and recorded. Rather than being adapted to the personal preferences of each individual child, menus are based on nutrition and allergies.
Also, it should be noted that while some family day care centres do not provide food and nappies, these are included in childcare centre fees.
3. Detailed record-keeping
Childcare centres are supposed to keep detailed records of children. Reports on accidents and illnesses should always be noted and kept until a child is 25 years of age, as these will still be referred to when a child becomes an adult.
4. Access to kinder programs
Family day care centres do not provide kindergarten and preschool programs. On the other hand, some childcare centres employ educators who are qualified to teach these.
5. More outdoor play
Source: Getty Images
Childcare centres will typically have more outdoor space than family day care centres. The bigger the outdoor space, the more outdoor play children can engage in.
Outdoor play is emphasised and embedded in the program of childcare centres – no matter the weather.
6. Better preparedness for school
Ms Panteria believes that a child can become more school-ready when he or she is enrolled in a childcare centre.
“Eventually, when they go up from the babies room, to the toddler room, to the kinder room...all the skills they acquire from all the activities and all the things that they do - that reflects on the things they can bring when they start school.”
Family day care
Daisy ‘Days’ Fajardo was a mum-of-two who worked full-time in the corporate world – that is, until she decided to quit her job and study a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. After finishing her course, she set up her own family day care in Burnside, Victoria, March of this year.
According to Ms Fajardo, “One day, I thought, “Why shouldn’t I change careers?” It's difficult to weigh my options. I go to work everyday and leave my children in child care …I’m not happy anymore with what I do everyday.” 
Operating a family day care from her own home with the assistance of her husband, Ms Fajardo believes that family day care provides certain benefits that centres do not, including:
Days Fajardo with her sons, Abram and Noah. Source: Days Fajardo
1. Flexibility and cheaper costs
Family day care tends to be more flexible and cheaper than centre-based care.
While centre-based care has a set cost for the whole day, the cost of family day care is computed on a per-hour basis. Family day care typically charges $8-10 per hour, and can include before and after-school care as well as casual care.
2. A more relaxed environment
Because family day care centres operate from a home environment, care is usually more relaxed. There is more freedom when it comes to schedules and programs.
3. More personalised care
“The approach is more individualistic. We try and communicate with the parents what their goals are for their child and what they want us to achieve. Like, for instance, the child does not know how to read yet or does not know ABC, we could focus on that."
4. Siblings can stay in the same room
Unlike in childcare centres, siblings are not separated by age group. They can be with each other throughout the day.
5. Less exposure to illnesses
“More kids, more germs,” Ms Fajardo said.
Because there are less children enrolled in a family day care centre as compared to a childcare centre, they are less exposed to illnesses.
6. Greater age range
While centre-based care is typically provided only to children from a few weeks to five years old, family day care provides care for children up to 12 years old.
Ultimately, deciding on the type of care you want for your child will depend on your needs and your preferences. In order to make the best decision, always have a look-through of the centres you are considering, and ask educators questions regarding your child’s care, the programs they offer, and the policies they have in place.
ALSO READ
