Every family will require child care by someone other than the parents at some time, either on an occasional or a regular basis. Parents need to know that their child will be in a place which is safe and where they are happy.


Family day care
A home-setting is the most frequently used type of child care outside the child's own home. The quality, including the safety of family day care arrangements vary. Although it is difficult to regulate home-based care, family day care schemes are regulated. Instead of the individual carer being 'licensed' the scheme itself is regulated.

• Find out from the organisation responsible what regulations apply to the family day care scheme you have chosen.
• The home and environment of a care-giver in a family day care scheme are screened and must meet health, safety and physical standards.
• Visit the care-giver's home and check how safe the environment is.

Child care centres
In each state and territory in Australia there are regulations designed to protect the safety, health, education and welfare of children in child care settings.

• Ensure that children are supervised by qualified adults when indoors and outdoors.
• Check that the buildings, equipment and toys are maintained in good order and repair and free from hazards.
• Heating appliances, electrical cords, toxic products and medications must be securely locked out of the reach of children.
• Ask whether the centre has a carefully developed plan for the safe evacuation of children in the event of a fire.

Nannies
When organising a nanny to care for your children, spend time to get to know him or her and explain what you expect from them.

• Choose your nanny or babysitter carefully. Make sure that he or she is mature enough to handle the responsibility of caring for children.
• Ensure that children know their carer so that if they wake or become distressed they are not faced with a stranger.
• Ensure that you always leave emergency and contact numbers beside the telephone.
• It is advisable that you choose a nanny who holds a current first aid certificate, preferably specialised in paediatrics.
• Do not leave a nanny with too many children. If there are four or more children, engage two child carers.