The 2001 ABS data indicates that there were 2302 children aged 0-4 and 3506 children aged 5-11 in the Bathurst Region.  The total number of children aged 0-11 represents 17% of the Bathurst Region total population.

Bathurst has a range of child care services and support systems available to the community including:

• 15 playgroups
• 9 long day care centres
• 2 pre-schools
• 2 non government schools offering transition classes
• 1 family day care scheme
• 3 vacation care services and one after school centre
• 1 early intervention service
• a small child care service for children of prisoners

Bathurst Regional Council supports the following children's services:-

• Scallywags Long Day Care Centre offering 46 places;
• Little Scallywags Long Day Care offering 20 places with first priority given to Council staff, remaining places offered to the families of the general community;
• Bathurst Family Day Care scheme offers flexible child care in a home based environment with carers supported and monitored by the Scheme's professional staff based at the family day care co-ordination unit;
• Bathurst Vacation Care program provides 38 places throughout State Government designated school holiday periods.