Childcare 101

If parenthood is a maze, perhaps at the centre of it is navigating childcare. It requires a lot of us: our emotions, our planning skills and our finances. It also often signifies a big shift in the parenting journey, with many of us returning to paid work as we navigate this new space alongside our new identities.

Whether you’re excited, relieved, nervous, or filled with dread, beginning childcare is a huge milestone full of murky waters.

With this Go To Guide, we aim to demystify every aspect of the childcare process, from choosing the right centre and the finances to the conversations to have prior to starting childcare and enlisting an expert to answer the most frequently asked questions. It’s a big journey, but you can do it. And we hope this guide helps you feel that little bit more prepared.

THIS GUIDE COVERS:

• Waitlists

• Choosing a childcare centre

• How do I actually claim my subsidy?

• Understanding the childcare subsidy for subsequent children

• Navigating sickness

• A checklist of what to do one month prior to beginning childcare

• Should you send your child to kindergarten ‘early’?

• And SO much more

FINER DETAILS:

• 94-page downloadable pdf

• Created by Lauren Treweek and Lucinda McKimm, in consultation with early childhood education expert and previous Ready or Not podcast guest Kabba

• While some aspects of this guide will apply to a global audience, please note that this was created with the Australian childcare system in mind, with some references and guidelines most relevant to Victoria

• This Go To Guide is not to be treated as medical advice