services

children's services

The Children's Services Unit is part of Department of Health and Community Services. The role of the Unit is to assist child care services to meet their legislative obligations relating to child care provision, as well as encouraging and advising these services to strive for a quality of care which is beyond the minimum licensing requirements.

licensing requirements

Child care services in the Northern Territory are required to comply with the Community Welfare Act 1983 (NT), and the Community Welfare (Child Care) Regulations 1987, before a licence is issued by a delegated officer for the Minister for Health, Family and Children's Services.

Further guidelines are specified in the Standards for Northern Territory Child Care Centres. These documents set a minimum benchmark that all child care centres in the Northern Territory should meet.

The Children's Services Unit is responsible for the recommendation of the issue of a licence. In doing this, the Unit must be satisfied that all requirements have been met.

quality child care

In the interest of good practice and quality care, the Children's Services Unit may make further recommendations regarding service delivery.
It is expected that services, in collaboration with the clients of the service, work towards a standard of care beyond minimum requirements.

monitoring child care services

The Children's Services Unit regularly inspects licensed child care centres to ensure they continue to meet minimum licensing requirements. The Unit also provides support and advice on the interpretation of the legislation and related guidelines to service providers and those working in the child care industry.

complaints

The Unit may also investigate complaints made by concerned parties about licensed child care services. They will also investigate allegations that a child care centre that may be operating without a child care centre licence.

funding

The Unit can provide information about Territory Health Services' child care related funding.

need more information?

Further information is provided in the following publications:
Children's Services Unit Childcare Resource Folder

Or contact a Children's Services Unit licensing adviser at:

Top End
Children's Services Unit
ph: 8922 7105

Central
Children's Services Unit
ph: 8951 5185

toll free 1800 019 161

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