Choosing quality childcare
Why choose community owned?
TICCS survey research shows that community owned children's services are delivering some of the highest quality services in Australia.
Why is quality childcare important?
High quality childcare has been linked to better social, cognitive, and language development outcomes for children. Research shows that quality education and care in early life leads to better health, education and employment outcomes later in life.
CCC believes that community ownership and community owned services are fundamental to the development of a civil society and the maintenance of the highest quality, community shaped care.
What makes community owned education and care services unique and of high quality?
Community owned services are unique because:
Families influence decision making
- Families have input into decisions and policies that affect the care and education of their children
- Families influence the financial management decisions to ensure that all resources are used to maintain quality
The community is involved
- All families from the community have access to the service
- Decision making and control is exercised by community members (parents/families)
- Families facing difficulties have direct access to other services in the community
- Opportunities are provided for informal and formal links with the community
- Because the management is drawn from the community, local issues are understood and can be responded to, making use of local resources.
When looking for an education and care service - Choose Community Owned!
What is the difference between community owned vs private childcare?
Families and the community can often be uncertain of the difference between commercial (for-profit) and community owned (not-for-profit) education and care services. Community owned education and care services are “owned” by parent committees, community groups or not-for-profit organisations, rather than by individuals. They are operated as social enterprises, delivering high quality, and with the purpose of delivering public infrastructure for the long term. They are run on a not for profit, break-even basis by voluntary parent and community committees of management, schools, local government, church groups or tertiary institutions. Any operating surplus is directed back to the service. There are no owners, directors or shareholders requiring a financial return on an investment. These services foster children’s development, support their families and build the community.