Childcare at a registered setting (centre care)
Centre care is for children from babies up to the age of 12 years. There is a manager in charge of the team of staff who care for the children in the setting.
There are 3 types of settings:
Day nurseries
Day nurseries offer care and education for children from their first year of life until they enter full time education. Day nurseries are open all year round, usually only closing on public holidays. The opening hours are to fit the needs of working parents.
Preschools
Preschools are for children from 2 years of age to school entry age, who are toilet trained. Preschools offer childcare and education on a sessional basis of up to 5 hours - usually in the morning. However, some preschools also offer afternoon sessions. Most follow school term-time hours of opening, but some offer the facility during the school holidays.
Preschool (education section)
School-age settings
School-age care is for children attending nursery classes and full time education, up to the age of 12 years.
There are 3 types of school age settings:
- wrap around care for children attending nursery classes
- playcare for children who are in full time education
- activity clubs for children of school age during school holidays
Childcare in the home (registered childminding)
Registered childminding is the care of children up to the age of 12 years in the registered person's own home.
You can find out more about registered childminding below.
A basic guide to childcare