Child care and playgroups
There are many online resources that can help you find the right type of early childhood education and care service, or a suitable playgroup for your child.
Child care
To help you choose between the different types of services, read about:
- early childhood education and care services, including kindergarten, long day care and outside school hours care. Information about enrolment and age requirements for some services is also available
- occasional and ad hoc care options, including how you can find out about regulations and staffing requirements for these services.
You can find a childcare service in your area by:
- using the mychild.gov.au online search tool
- phoning the childcare access hotline on 1800 670 305.
Find out what government benefits are available to help you with the cost of early childhood education and care.
Read fact sheets for families using child care to help answer your questions about child care, including the Child Care Rebate and Child Care Benefit.
Playgroups
Playgroups, like other community groups, are usually organised by members of the community to fulfil a local need.
- Read more about children’s playgroups, including how to find or start a playgroup.
- Find out more about playgroups for children with disability, including information on supported playgroups, PlayConnect and the Playgroup Plus Program.
- Read more about the Accessible Playgroups Initiative which helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities who want to start playgroups.
