Different ways to share your baby's care
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Sharing the care of children can be a positive experience for both parents and children. Some parents have friends or family who sometimes look after the child. That means that the parents have some time for themselves and the children can meet other people and make friends. Child care is also a good option. Children can learn new skills, meet other children and do interesting activities. For parents, child care is useful because looking after your child all day is very tiring and you need some time for yourself.
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If you want to use child care, check out the places before you decided what is best for you and your child. There are different possibilities in the child care system.
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Childcare centres can be found everywhere. The centres have full time or part time places during the day and offer activities and free play. There is a lot of demand for places and the waiting lists are long. Some centres are Government subsidised. They offer cheaper rates for children who can get child care fee relief (forms are available at Centrelink offices). The costs depend on the number of children from one family and how long they stay in the centre.
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is sometimes offered at general child care centres, but there are also specific occasional care centres. Children up to school age can go for up to 10 hours per week and sometimes this can be arranged at short notice. Fees depend on the centre and fee relief is possible through your Centrelink Office.
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is child care in the home of a specially selected carer. This is arranged by the council and can be very cheap. The carer looks after up to four children. Times can arranged to suit when you need it, sometimes even over night or on weekends.
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is for school children and is usually run by the school. It can be before or after school and gives children time and space to catch up with their friends and take part in recreational activities like sport or craft. Child care fee relief is also possible.
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is difficult to get on a regular basis (when not referred from Child Protection), but emergency respite is sometimes possible to get. Your local family services or Community Health Centre can refer you to the right Foster Care agency of offer suitable advice.
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