What is occasional care?
Occasional care offers care for children on a casual basis. This service is suitable for families who do need childcare on a regular basis but would like someone to look after their children occasionally, for example when they have a medical or other appointment.
The services are licensed with the Department of Education and Training.
Occasional care trial 2019
From Monday 7 January to June 2019 we will be trialling an expanded occasional care service. The trial aims to provide a better service for children, more flexibility for families and greater value to the community.
Learn more about the trial and register.
What kinds of occasional care do you have?
We have 2 options for occasional care.
- 1.5 hours sessions in our leisure services (swimming pools) or
- 4 hour session at the Connie Benn Children's Centre
Connie Benn Centre, Occasional care, 4 hour session
Connie Benn Centre runs occasional care sessions 5 days per week. Sessions run on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings, 9am to 1pm and Monday and Wednesday afternoons, 12pm to 4pm.
The Occasional Care program is implemented by experienced qualified Early Childhood educators; this program is designed to stimulate the creativity, growth and development of all who attend.
Occasional Care is available for children from 3 months (unless otherwise negotiated) to school age.
Places are allocated using a Priority of Access Policy noted in the booking request procedure. Children from outside of Yarra are able to register to use the program also.
Children can attend a maximum of 8 sessions per month and no more than 3 in a week.
How to enrol your child
To enrol your child in occasional care:
Step 1: Download and complete the enrolment form
Step 2: Submit the completed form to Yarra City Council, PO Box 168 Richmond Vic. 3121, the Connie Benn Centre or via email to occasionalcare@yarracity.vic.gov.au
Leisure Services, Occasional care, 1.5 hour session
These occasional care services are for short term irregular care usage to help families to use the leisure service facilities.
Non-leisure users are also able to leave their children at the service.
We provide safe, stimulating, high quality care and developmental opportunities for young children attending our facility.
Books, art and craft building construction and puzzles are some of the activities provided to keep your child engaged and learning during their visit.
To make a booking for occasional care in the leisure centre you need to contact leisure centres directly.
Have a question about occasional care
If you have a question about occasional care, you can ask us.