Child Care providers can apply to deliver more occasional and in home child care places

Minister for Early Childhood and Child Care Kate Ellis announced to child care providers how they can apply to deliver an additional 1500 In Home and Occasional Care places, funded by the Australian Government.

These new places will represent a rise in Australian Government funded Occasional Care places by 35 per cent and a market increase of around 17 per cent across the In Home Care sector.

“The Australian Government understands that centre-based care may not be suitable for all Australian families, and that some families may require more flexible care arrangements,” Ms Ellis said.

“We believe in giving parents choice when it comes to child care, which is why we support a range of options from long day care and family day care to flexible centre or home based care.”

“That way parents can choose what works best for their family.”

Occasional care services support Australian families by providing flexible centre-based care that families can access on a regular, or ad-hoc basis.

In home care is a targeted form of child care aimed at families whose circumstances mean that other child care services are not suitable – some children have special needs and may require a higher level of care than can be provided in a centre-based environment.

In home care can also help families in rural or remote locations that may not have access to centre based care, or parents who work non-standard hours and require child care at night.

These new places will mean that by mid 2012 more Australian families will be entitled to child care fee assistance through Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate when accessing these more diverse types of caring arrangements.

“Through these places, we particularly hope to assist families living in regional areas which often face difficulties accessing child care,” Ms Ellis said.

“This is a win for both families and the child care sector and is a part of our Government’s broader commitment to the early years and delivering affordable, accessible and quality child care for all families.

Places will be allocated to services on the basis of demonstrated need and a ranked assessment of each applicant’s capacity to deliver quality child care.

Advertisements calling for applications will appear in the tender or public notice sections of metropolitan and regional newspapers on Saturday 28 January 2012.

For further information visit www.deewr.gov.au/earlychildhood and follow the links to In Home Care and Occasional Care Allocation.