Description:
The Australian Government Census of Child Care Services has been conducted regularly since 1986. Census information has been important for determining Australian Government objectives relating to child care are being met, and for future planning and policy development.
The information provided in the Census is the most comprehensive data available on Australian Government approved and supported child care services. It is used extensively for monitoring growth in the sector and assisting in policy formulation and planning.
This booklet details the findings of the 2006 Census of Child Care Services conducted by the Australian Government Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA). It provides details of child care users, staff and carers and operational details of child care services. The specific week in which services were surveyed is referred to as the 'reference week' for the Census.
Findings include:
•The number of child care services increased. This growth in the number of services is reflected by an increase of 534 (14%) in the number of long day care centres and an increase of 113 (8%) in the number of vacation care services. The number of outside school hours care services increased by 119 (6%).
•In 2006, the average weekly fee in long day care centres was $233, compared to $209 in 2004. In 2006, the average weekly fee in family day care schemes for 50 hours in care was $215 ($185 in 2004).
•Eighty per cent of the children attending a long day care centre in 2006 attended that centre for less than 30 hours a week (79% in 2004). In 2006, as in 2004, 58% of the children attending a long day care centre attended for less than 20 hours a week.
•Sixty-one percent of all long day care centre staff held a qualification relevant to the sector in 2006 (60% in 2004). In 2006, the proportion of family day care caregivers with a relevant qualification was 31%, up from 25% in 2004. The proportion of in home care caregivers with a relevant qualification also increased from 32% in 2004 to 46% in 2006.The proportion of staff with a relevant qualification in outside school hours and vacation care was 48%.