Operating a child care centre
If you would like to establish a child care centre, use this page to find out if your project needs planning approval.
Definition
Brisbane City Plan 2014 defines a child care centre as 'a use of premises for the minding, education and care of children. e.g. crèche, early childhood centre, kindergarten and outside-hours school care'. The definition does not include the residential care for children.
City Plan includes child care centres in the group of uses called centre activities.
Educational establishments, home-based child care and family day care are not examples of a child care centre. A home-based child care is defined as a home based business. If you want to operate a day care from your home, confirm your business complies with the requirements of the Home based business code in City Plan.
Preferred locations
City Plan encourages child care centres to set up in Community facilities zones or Centre zones (being the Principal centre zone, Major centre zone, District centre zone or Neighbourhood centre zone).
Child care centres in other locations should not be located on local roads. In addition, in newly developing or outer suburban areas, they should be adjacent to community focal points (such as shopping centres), community facilities (such as public transport interchanges, libraries and churches), parkland, schools or sporting grounds. In built up inner or middle suburban areas, suitable locations may include sites close to other community facilities or within educational establishments.
Building a new child care centre or extending an existing centre
To build a new child care centre, or extend an existing one, find out the key facts about your property including:
- which zone the site is in
- if it is located in a neighbourhood plan area
- if there are any overlays located on the property.
Development for a child care centre may require planning approval, depending on:
- the property location
- how the proposed development complies with the requirements in City Plan.
Home-based child care
If you would like to set up a home-based child care business, you should check that your business will comply with the accepted development, subject to requirements of the Home based business code. If your business does not meet these identified requirements, a development application will be required.
Building approval
Building approval is separate from planning approval. Licensed private building certifiers or building consultants can provide advice regarding:
- building work for an existing child care centre or a new centre
- if any building approval is required.
Private building certifiers and building consultants can be found using the Queensland Building and Construction Commission's website.
Other approvals to consider
In addition to the requirements of City Plan, child care centres must comply with relevant Queensland Government legislation, including the Child Care Act 2002 and the Child Care Regulation 2003.
More information
For more information read Brisbane City Council's fact sheets
You can also contact Council's Business Hotline on 133 BNE (133 263) for advice specific to your property and situation.