What do registration requirements cover?

The following provides an overview of registration requirements, which are given in detail on other pages.

1. The Adult

All adults in Centre Care who have contact with children are subject to a 'fit person' check, and this is determined by:

• a satisfactory police check;
• a satisfactory health check;
• satisfactory references taken up by the employer before the adult is employed in centre care.

In Family Day Care a police check is also required on the applicant, and all members of the household over the age of sixteen years, with the health of all family members confirmed by the applicant.

There is a minimum adult child ratio that must be met at all times and this varies with each type of setting.
 
There are minimum training requirements for adults who care for children in regulated provision, which are:

• holding a current first aid certificate;
• completing child protection training;
• infection control training;
• a basic course of training for staff without the necessary childcare qualifications, which is related to the type of Centre the individual is employed in.

2. Play Space and Care of Children

The number of children that can be accommodated in Centre Care is determined by:

• the minimum play space available to each child based on age;
• facilities for sleeping and personal care;
• adequacy of outdoor play facilities.

In Family Day Care the number of children that can be cared for is determined by the ages of the children in the care of the adult at any one time.

Records must be kept on children, and providers must have policies that govern the care of children.

A certificate of registration with accompanying Conditions of Registration for the particular setting is issued, which identifies the maximum number of children that can be accommodated at any one time and the address of the premises. For centres, this also gives the hours of opening. The certificate must be displayed in a prominent place at all times.

All registered child care providers are required to hold public liability insurance.

Registration is for the period of one year only, so is renewed on an annual basis, if the conditions of registration are met. Parents are consulted as part of this assessment.

A registration report, which identifies any issues for action as a condition of re-registration, is issued with a new certificate of registration on an annual basis.