New regulations: playgroups exempt
Playgroups are exempt from the Victorian Government's new Children's
Services Regulations 2009 because at playgroup, parents or caregivers
attend with their children and are responsible for the supervision of
each child they bring to playgroup; they can see and hear their
children and intervene immediately.
The Children's services Act 1996 and the Children's Services
Regulations 2009 ensure minimum standards are met, children's
developmental needs are met and children are safe when they are cared
for or educated in the absence of their parents.
Although exempt, playgroups can use the Children's Services
Rgulations 2009 to apply best practice principles when making
decisions. If a playgroup is uncertain, for example, about how many
families it can safely cater for, the regulations require 3.3 square
metres of clear space for each child. Find out more about the
Children's Services Regulations 2009 by visiting http://www.education.vic.gov.au/ecsmanagement/licensedchildservices/review.htm
Working with Children Check
Parents with their own children participating in any child related activity are exempt from a Working with Children Check.
Determining if a Working with Children Check is needed is the
responsibility of an individual, agency, employer, club or association.
For more information visit the Working with Children Check website or call 1300 652 879 weekdays, 9am- 5pm.