Child care
All child care services must comply with legislation and Victorian Department of Education and Training regulations.
Types of care
There are different types of care for different situations:
Child care
Known as Long day care (LDC) - often called Early Learning Services is available for children whose families / carers are working, volunteering or studying.
Occasional care
This form of child care not only helps parents who require care on a less regular basis.
Locations
You can download our map of child care services and kindergartens or see a list of child care centres and kindergartens located in Darebin.
Services on the registration system
We take registrations for eight participating community-managed services. These are operated by either a committee of management or early years management organisation.
| Service | Address |
|---|---|
| Annie Dennis Childrens Centre | 2 Oldis Avenue Northcote |
| Darebin Child Care & Kindergarten | 260 Gower Street Preston |
| Darebin Child Care & Kindergarten | 6—8 Kenilworth Street Reservoir |
| Merri Community Child Care Centre & Kindergarten | 313 St Georges Road Thornbury |
| Merrilands United Early Learning | 23—25 Ryans Road Reservoir |
| Nara Community Early Learning Centre | 77—91 St Georges Road Preston |
| Oakhill Children’s Centre | 91 North Road Reservoir |
| Raleigh Street Community Children's Centre | 28 Raleigh Street Thornbury |
What do you need to do?
- your child needs to be born before you can register
- your child’s proof of birth documents, birth certificate, passport, hospital declaration certificate
- receipt of your administration fee payment if providing a paper registration form
Registering for child care does not guarantee a child care position.
How to register
You can register for child care on the registration system anytime using the Darebin Central Enrolments Online Portal.
If you need help with registering, please contact the Darebin Registration Team:
Other ways to register
You can still register using a paper form.
These are available from any of our Customer Service Centres, or the Registration Team can email one to you.
You can pay the administration fee online and you will need to include the payment receipt when sending in your form:
We charge a one-off administration fee for the registration of each child. Administration fees are waived for eligible Australian Government concession cards holders.
Immunisation — "No jab, no play" legislation
For your child's enrolment at child care to be confirmed, you will need to provide the child care service with evidence of your child’s up to date immunisation statement.
A current immunisation history statement from the Australian Immunisation Register, the statement must show your child is up to date with all vaccinations that are due for their age. Or they're up to date with the vaccinations they're able to receive.
The immunisation history statement from the Australian Immunisation Register is the only document accepted for enrolments. Letters from GPs or local councils are not accepted.
Our immunisation service can get your family up-to-date with vaccinations.
Find out about our immunisation sessions for children, adolescents and adults.
You can find out more about the No Jab No Play legislation on the Better Health Channel or Australian Department of Human Services
More information
Contact Darebin Registration Team
Phone: 03 8470 8825
Email: registration.kindergartenchildcare@darebin.vic.gov.au
Resources
The Federal Government's Starting Blocks website can give you advice on what to expect and tips about children's education and care.
Complaints about services
Darebin City Council does not own or operate any Early Years services. The Services in the Darebin area are managed by a range of providers. These include Parent Committees of Management as well as Private operators and Early Years Management.
If you have any concerns or complaints about the care provided at the service you attend your first point of call should be to approach the service. Your service is required to have a complaint procedure and policy. These should be available to you on the services website, in their handbook or on display in the foyer. The policy should be made available to you on request.
The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority ensures that child care services are operating to the required standards. You can read their frequently asked questions about qualifications, service quality and complaints on their website.
If you would like to then take the complaint further, you can make a complaint to the Department of Education and Training.
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