Extra hours, extraordinary care.
Long day care with Uniting is convenient, quality care that supports your family – and your schedule.
Long day care for children 0 - 6 years old
What is long day care?
Long day care is a busy family’s little helper. Providing consistent, convenient, and quality childcare, long day care can support your family in any situation.
Our holistic long day care centres offer all-day or part-time care for busy working families. Whether it’s before, during or after business hours, we are here for you when you need us – ready with nutritious meals, inspirational activities and engaging developmental experiences.
Your local long day care centre can provide:
- Age-appropriate education – offering individual, tailor-made education to children between 0 to 6 years
- Consistent communication – connecting with you personally, setting goals for your child and offering regular updates throughout the week
- A source of support - collaborating with you, and other parents, to connect with our community and champion our local families
- Peace of mind – providing your child with professional care and a premium education, in hours that fit your family’s needs.
Our long day care centres can be found across Victoria and Tasmania.
Come and meet us at your local centre and let’s start the learning journey together.
Your family is our focus
In all of our centres, our planning is centred on your child’s:
Our team create physically safe, secure, and inclusive spaces for every child to play, grow and mingle.
Our highly-qualified educators offer supportive learning experiences based on the emotional and physical needs of every child.
Our supportive learning experiences will foster your child’s development, exciting their interests and unlocking their boundless potential.
Each daily plan includes a range of indoor and outdoor activities, designed to spark curiosity and encourage exploration of the world around them.
Our goal is to create a sense of belonging for every child – and their family. We foster a feeling of community, supporting each other in the learning journey.
Need a little help? Try long day care
Whatever your family needs; we care.
Family day care – Day care that feels like family. Premium care and personalised education in the comfort of home.
Frequently asked questions
Long day care is a type of child care that provides education and care for children for an extended period of time, typically up to 10 hours a each weekday for up to 48 weeks of the year. It is designed for working families who need full-time care for their children. Long day care centres are licensed and regulated by the government and provide education and care for children from birth to 5 years old.
Long day care differs from other forms of child care, such as family day care or occasional care, which provide care for flexible periods of time or in a home-based setting.
To enroll your child in a long day care program, you will need to contact the location directly and arrange a visit to the centre.
During your visit, you can ask questions and get more information about Uniting’s programs, eligibility and policies.
The typical daily routine for children in a long day care program includes experiences that promote a holistic approach to individual development. This may include free play, group time, outdoor play, rest time, meals and snacks, and structured learning experiences. The specific activities may vary depending on the age and individual ability of the children and the location’s curriculum, but they may include music and movement, arts and crafts, numeracy, literacy and sensory play.
The health and safety of children in a long day care setting are ensured through a range of measures. These include regular cleaning and disinfecting of toys and surfaces, maintaining proper hygiene practices, ensuring that staff members are trained in first aid and emergency procedures, and conducting regular safety inspections of the facility. In the event of an emergency, the location will have protocols in place to ensure the safety of the children and staff, which may include evacuating the building or contacting emergency services.
The qualifications and experience of staff members in long day care services may vary depending on the location, but in line with regulations, staff members are required to have a minimum qualification in early childhood education or a related field. Staff members are trained to work with children of different ages and needs through ongoing professional development and training, which may include courses in child development, behaviour management, and communication skills.
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