These centres are registered as Incorporated Societies.  Many are run by a charitable organisation, church, or a community group. 

These services do not make a profit for any one person or company and usually any profit is returned to the organisation to benefit the service.

Often community-based services charge lower fees than private services.  However, many (not all) tend to open for shorter hours and may not be open during holiday periods.

Community-based services usually employ qualified teachers. Being community-based these services have a reputation for providing staff with better working conditions and pay than within the private sector .

Parents and community members are often involved in managing the service and parents usually can have a say in how it is run for their children.