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.