Types of childcare

Formal childcare comprises:
- day care in a day care centre for children in the age category 0–4;
- out-of-school care for primary school children before and after school and during school holidays;
- care provided by host parents through a host parent agency.

Informal child care includes paid and unpaid care, both at home and elsewhere and is not covered by formal regulations.
It includes:
- paid care or playgroup care for 2 to 3-year-old children;
- unpaid care provided by family or relatives, e.g. grandparents, other relatives, friends or neighbours.