kjj

Hi All,
I am doing a little bit of informal market research into child care provision. I have searched threads and various sites and it appears that there is a lack of half day child care centre places.
For those of you that have children, would you be interested in half day places at child care centres? Which areas around Brisbane have you found difficulties in accessing centre based childcare for your children?

Your information would be gratefully received in order for me to start generating my business ideas.

Regards,
KJJ

ABCDiamond

This has my interest, and I will be interested in seeing these answers myself.

A news article on TV yesterday was saying that about 40% of the ABC child care centres are not making a profit due to insufficient children, caused by too much competition !

This totally goes against what we normally hear, in that there are insufficient places for children.

minibelle

I work for ABC, in a centre that has just opened we have a huge waiting list for children to start but we can not find the qualified staff to work.

minibelle

The Bloke

Possibly because of all the financial trouble ABC has been in for the past couple of years, no-one wants to risk being out of a job almost as soon as they start.

comet555

I know in the Bayside area you can't get a half day of childcare. I really wish you could because I'd love to get my son in for a about 3 half days a week, but that's not possible here.

So I'll end up putting him in for 2 days a week but not really using the whole day, which is annoying.

It worked out all right for my daughter. When she was 4 she went to a C&K kindy and went from 8:30-2pm, and it was only $20 a day (did 2 days a week). She starts prep in January though so won't need childcare.

So the problem is for my son who will be 2.5 years when my daughter starts prep. If there were any half day places around here I'd definitely have him in there for at least 3 half days if not more.

mandyp

Hi I've been looking into options for my daughter as I just cannot afford to pay for her to go full days (we would have to pay full amount as here on student visa). I have found 2 not-for-profit centres that offer options other than full days, both in the Gold Coast. 1 offers half day places but only for single parents wanting to work, the other offers a casual placement at $8ph minimum stay is 2 hours. Basically I would have to phone the day before to see if there is any space, I would look at her going a couple of times a week for a 3 hour stay. Not ideal, as they may not have a space when I call, but no other option really and she's desperate to go to school never mind kindy!!! Going to have a look at the end of the month once she's had her second hep-B injection.

Cheers
Mandy

kjj

Thanks for all your responses up to now, they are very useful. If any one else has any views they will be gratefully received.
KJJ

newbris

Hi,

Often people who are family day care providers offer reduced days and hours.

My son is in for a few days a week/6 hrs a day. We pay by the hour and he has a permanent spot allocated to him.

David

newbris

Also see: http://www.candk.asn.au/

The C&K centre's offer half day care.

comet555

But for what age group?

My daughter goes from 8:30-2pm but it's only for kids who are age 4 by June 30th. Also, you only get it for a year because after that the child would be in prep.

It might also vary centre to centre. However the one we use does not have any care for younger children (under 4).

joh117

If you can get a place wait lists are long

Jo

mandyp

Places for c&k are taken for when my daughter would be able to start in January. They tod me that there were 80 names on their list for 20 places so saw no point in even putting her name down!! Also they only do the 2day/3day placements. No disrespect to family day care, but not what i'm after. Just want to give my daughter the nursery. . sorry kindy experience/socialisation don't need it for childcare reasons. We meet up to play with friends for playdays and go to softplay/parks swimming lessons etc would just be nice to give her something that is her own. Definately a shortage in part time places a definate gap in the market!!

Cheers
Mandy