Download transcript (right click "Save as…")
TXT format
‘We teach through play. It’s not about sitting around doing a lot of paperwork. It’s about being out there, being active, it’s talking to the children, teaching and learning.’ – Nicole
Long day care and sessional kindergartens are centre-based settings that provide play-based education and care programs to children, including curriculum-based kindergarten programs.
Sessional kindergarten services provide education and care programs in the year before children start Prep in school. Kindergartens usually operate in line with school hours and school terms.
However, long day care services provide education and care for children from birth to school age, including approved kindergarten programs. Some offer before and after school-aged care.
Long day care services generally operate for at least 10 hours a day, Monday to Friday, for at least 48 weeks a year.
All long day care services caring for children under school age must employ, or have access to, a qualified early childhood teacher.
Find out more information on the
kindergarten and
State Delivered Kindergarten pages.
Long day care roles and qualifications
There are many long day care services across Queensland. They employ thousands of people in a range of roles with different qualifications.
Early childhood teacher
An early childhood teacher plans and delivers educational programs. They work directly with children and their families, and also supervise, mentor and coach other educators.
Early childhood teachers must hold an approved early childhood teacher qualification.
Early childhood educator
An early childhood educator provides education and care to a group of children, supporting their learning and development. They also help design, plan, implement and evaluate the group's educational program.
Early childhood educators must hold an approved
Certificate III or Diploma level qualification.
Nominated supervisor (service director)
A nominated supervisor provides day-to-day management of an approved service while working collaboratively with the
regulatory authority. They ensure that the program delivered to children is based on an approved learning framework and also ensure the safety, health and wellbeing of children at the service.
There are no legislative qualification requirements to manage a long day care service, unless you work directly with the children. Most services, however, will require the service director to have a diploma, degree or higher.
Learn more
Career paths and qualifications
ACECQA qualification requirements for long day care (centre-based services for children preschool age and under)
Qualities of great early childhood educators
Need something explained further? Please email your query to
ecec@qed.qld.gov.au.