Same-day emergency child care when your regular care falls through
Regular care arrangements fall over for all sorts of reasons: an educator is sick, a centre closes for a training day, or a school holiday program is full. This page is for parents who need a place for their child with little or no notice, not for families planning ahead months in advance.
Providers that take same-day or next-day bookings usually need proof of enrolment paperwork, immunisation records and any care plans (allergies, medication) on hand, since they cannot process a full standard enrolment in the usual timeframe. Calling ahead, even by an hour, makes a placement far more likely.
Not every provider on the 24-hour and emergency care list can guarantee a same-day spot every day, since it depends on ratios and who is rostered on, so it pays to have two or three numbers ready rather than one.
- Have your child's immunisation status and any medical or allergy notes ready to send electronically
- Ask directly whether they hold casual or emergency places separate from their regular enrolment list
- Confirm the hourly or daily rate and any late-notice loading before you commit
What it costs
Casual and emergency placements are usually billed at a daily or hourly casual rate rather than a standard enrolment fee, and that rate is often higher than a booked-in permanent place because it covers holding a ratio spot on standby. Some services also charge a small late-notice or casual booking fee on top.
Top 3 by our score
Ranked from our published scoring of public Google reviews for 24-hour / emergency & casual care.
- 1. Stride Early Learning Midland945.0★ · 186 reviews
- 2. Cherished Cherubs894.9★ · 286 reviews
- 3. Vital Beat915.0★ · 117 reviews
FAQ
- Can I get my child into care the same day in Perth?
- Some 24-hour and emergency care providers hold casual spots for exactly this situation, but availability changes daily so call as early as possible.
- Do I still need enrolment paperwork for emergency care?
- Yes. Most providers need at least immunisation records and basic medical details even for a one-off casual day, so have them ready to email or upload.
- Is emergency child care more expensive than regular care?
- Usually yes, casual daily rates tend to run higher than a booked permanent place because the provider is covering an unplanned ratio spot.