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What are the approval or licensing requirements for an early childhood education and care service in Queensland?

When looking for early childhood education and care services, it is important to understand that services can be nationally approved, Queensland licensed, unlicensed or unregulated.

The department is responsible for the approving, licensing and monitoring of early childhood education and care services to ensure these services continuously meet the minimum quality standards for early childhood education and care services, as stated in the applicable legislation, in areas such as:

qualifications of staff
number of staff required to care for children
educator to child ratios
policies and procedures
activities and experiences offered to children
health and safety for children
equipment
buildings, facilities and space
information provided to parents/carers or guardians.

Authorised officers regularly contact each approved or licensed service to ensure they continue to meet the minimum standards.

Services not regulated in Queensland include:

in-home care
vacation care (for less than four week per year)
adjunct care
children's activity services
playgroups
nannies and babysitters
au pairs
resort care

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This page was last reviewed on 05 May 2011