Skip to main content
resources / children and services

Attending a service

On this page, you’ll find information and guides on children and services, from how to choose a suitable service to what to expect when your child enrols.

If you have a topic in mind, use the search below to quickly find all our related information and articles.


Choosing a service

Two educators talking
The assessment and rating process

This article is a brief guide to the assessment and rating process for approved early childhood education and care services across Australia.

Last updated: August 23, 25
Service quality ratings
Last updated: August 23, 25

How to support your child through early childhood education and care

How can you help your child settle in?

Starting at a service can be an emotional experience for you and your child. Children may experience difficulty settling into a new environment, particularly if they find it hard to separate from family or familiar caregivers.

Last updated: August 23, 25
Supporting children during transitions
Last updated: August 23, 25
How can you help your child settle in?
Last updated: August 23, 25
Challenging behaviour: biting
Last updated: August 23, 25
Transition to school
Last updated: August 23, 25

Health and safety in services

National Quality Framework (NQF) child safety guides

Protecting children is everyone’s business. The NQF Child Safe Culture Guide and NQF Online Safety Guide provide guidance to help education and care services keep children safe, including when online.

Last updated: August 23, 25
Managing illnesses in services
Last updated: August 23, 25
Sun protection at your child's service
Last updated: August 23, 25
Taking images
Last updated: August 23, 25

Educational programs

The importance of play in children's learning and development

Learning through play is one of the most important ways children learn and develop. Children’s success as learners depends on developing strong foundations from infancy, and play based learning supports this.

Last updated: August 23, 25
What is STEM and why is it important?
Last updated: August 23, 25

Types of services

Girl playing on slide outdoors
Choosing a quality preschool or kinder service

Tips on what to look for when choosing a quality education and care service for preschool or kinder aged children.

Last updated: May 28, 25

What to expect

Two children playing outdoors with balloon
What children wear to early childhood education and care

In an early learning and preschool, what your child wears may also influence your child’s health, safety, comfort, and wellbeing.

Last updated: August 23, 25
How services support good nutrition
Last updated: August 23, 25

Resources for services

Brought to you by ACECQA - Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority
Connect with us
Good Design Award logo
ACECQA acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledge their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the Elders past and present.