Childcare for 1 year old baby

[eworc]

My baby is due in September 2009 and I am planning to take 1 year off work. However, I need to start planning if I should send my baby to a childcare after 1 year. Do childcare centres take care of babies as young as 1 year old. I work on Collins Street (Spring Street) end. Are there any good/recommended childcare centres around that area or even around Carllton/St Vincent's Hospital areas?

[smiles4u]

Hi there, there is a recent thread - Child care in Melbourne CBD ... might want to check that out

[AnyDream]

Yep, start getting yourselves on lists NOW.

[MamaPan]

yes i would get on lists now, places at good centres fill up REALLY fast.
mist creches take babies from about 4 months so you will be fine at 12 months if thats the way you wish to go. you could ask others at your work if they use any centres nearby? it is good to get a recommendation. also have you looked near your home, that way you and your partner cn share the drop offs and pick ups? i would recommend going on as many lists as possible and then seeing what is available and what you like at the time. also maybe you want to look into family day care or another option - in my opinion the more options available the better! good luck and enjoy your preg!

[Karina]

Some places take babies as young as 6 weeks .. they certainly take 1 year old, however you need to book in quick as most of the time they cant take that many under-2-year-olds.

We put our name down in September 2006 and still dont have a spot in any centre.... so we decided to use family day care instead.

[Pandora]

There is childcare at QV and there used to be one called kids on collins - but its at the spencer st end if its still going.
Im sure there would be daycare in carlton/fitzroy its just how long their waiting lists are, and if its not private, it might require you to live in the council area where the daycare is.

[sunshinemum]

Hi there!!! You all seem to know the Melbourne scene very well and would be grateful for your help :-))

I am moving to Melbourne CBD in January 2010 and I'm looking for a child care centre for my daughter, who will be 21 months then. I will be studying at that time and my husband, who will also be moving with me, and I have very limited resources (and no job secured in Australia for the moment)...

All the centres we've contacted are REALLY REALLY expensive (specially for foreigners who can only work 20hrs/week!) and I was wondering which good creche was the cheapest!! No need for fancy but need safe, hygienic environment, good quality care and loving staff :-))

I was also wondering whether you would know of any other good plan to get my child taken care of in Melbourne CBD with a close to nothing budget and whether there were places I could go to get good quality stuff for her when I get there (like winter clothes, shoes, toys etc..) for close to nothing (like my budget). I am reluctant on having her wear second-hand clothes from charity organizations and play with old, worn toys.. cause that would make me feel really bad about our move (she's got all her own little things here)... but nearly-new addresses/plans or $1 dollar shop addresses for kids that age would work great!! :-)))

Hope you can help me and looking forward to your responses,

Sunshinemum