Sending Your Child to Childcare for the First Time in Australia

Types of Childcare in Australia

Australia offers several types of formal childcare, each suited to different needs and ages. Understanding the options helps you choose what's right for your family.

Long Day Care (LDC)

Long day care is the most common type of childcare. Centres are open from around 6:30am to 6:30pm, Monday to Friday, and cater to children from 6 weeks to 5 years old. They provide structured learning programs, meals, and nap times. Most working parents use long day care.

Costs range from $90 to $180 per day depending on your area — inner-city Sydney centres are the most expensive, while regional areas are more affordable. The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) significantly reduces out-of-pocket costs.

Family Day Care (FDC)

Family day care is run by qualified educators in their own homes. Groups are smaller (usually 4-7 children) and the environment is more home-like. This can be a great option for younger children or those who might find a large centre overwhelming. Family day care often offers more flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends.

Occasional Care

Occasional care is for families who need childcare on a casual or irregular basis. Sessions are typically a few hours, and you don't need to commit to regular bookings. It's ideal for parents who work part-time, have appointments, or just need some time out. Availability can be limited, so check your local council for options.

Outside School Hours Care (OSHC)

OSHC provides before-school care (from around 7am), after-school care (until around 6pm), and vacation care during school holidays. It's available for primary school-aged children (5-12 years) and is usually run at or near the school. OSHC is essential for working parents with school-age kids.

Preschool / Kindergarten

In the year or two before primary school, children attend preschool (called kindergarten in some states). This can be standalone or within a long day care centre. All Australian states and territories offer funded preschool programs — typically 15 hours per week in the year before school. The naming varies by state: it's "kinder" in Victoria, "preschool" in NSW, and "kindy" in Queensland.

How to Find a Childcare Centre

Finding the right centre takes some research. Here are the best ways to search:

• Starting Blocks — the Australian Government's official childcare search tool. Search by location, see quality ratings, and compare centres.
• Your local council website — councils list all registered childcare options in your area, including family day care and occasional care.
• Google Maps — search "childcare near me" to see what's in your suburb, read reviews, and check opening hours.
• Facebook community groups — local parent groups are excellent for honest reviews and recommendations. Search for "[your suburb] parents" or "[your suburb] mums group."
• Word of mouth — ask neighbours, colleagues, and other parents at playgrounds. Personal recommendations are often the most reliable.

Waitlists & Booking

This is arguably the most stressful part of childcare in Australia. Waitlists can be extremely long — in high-demand suburbs, waits of 12-18 months are not unusual. Some inner-city centres have 2+ year waitlists.

Tips for getting a spot faster:

• Be flexible with days — Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are the most popular. Monday and Friday spots are easier to get.
• Consider starting with fewer days and adding more later.
• Look at centres slightly further from your home — a 10-minute drive to a less popular centre might mean getting a spot 6 months earlier.
• Check new centres opening in your area — they have no waitlist when they first open.
• Ask about cancellations — centres sometimes have spots open up unexpectedly.

What to Look For in a Centre

Not all childcare centres are equal. Here's what matters most when choosing:

NQS Quality Rating

Every Australian childcare centre is assessed under the National Quality Standard (NQS). Ratings range from "Significant Improvement Required" to "Excellent." Look for centres rated "Meeting" or above. You can check ratings on the ACECQA website.

Educator-to-Child Ratios

By law, centres must maintain minimum staff ratios:

• Birth to 24 months: 1 educator to 4 children
• 24 to 36 months: 1 educator to 5 children
• 3 to 5 years: 1 educator to 11 children

Some centres exceed these minimums. Ask about their ratios during your tour.

Other Key Factors

• Meals included? Many centres provide morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea. Others require you to pack food daily. Included meals save time and money.
• Nappies and sunscreen included? Some centres provide these; others don't.
• Outdoor space — check that there's adequate outdoor play area with shade.
• Learning program — ask about their curriculum and daily routine.
• Communication — good centres use apps (like Storypark or Kindyhub) to send daily updates, photos, and learning stories.
• Cultural sensitivity — if your family speaks another language or has specific cultural or dietary needs, ask how they accommodate this.

The Settling-In Process

Most centres offer a structured settling-in process to help your child adjust gradually. This typically looks like:

1. Orientation visit (Week 1): You and your child visit the centre together for 30-60 minutes. Your child plays while you stay nearby. This helps them become familiar with the space and educators.
2. Short separation (Week 1-2): Your child stays for 1-2 hours without you. The centre calls you if your child is distressed. You stay nearby (in the car park or local cafe).
3. Half day (Week 2): Your child stays for a half day, including a meal. This tests how they handle eating and possibly napping at the centre.
4. Full day (Week 2-3): Your child stays for a full day. By this point, most children are starting to settle.

What to Pack for Childcare

Here's a complete packing list for your child's childcare bag:

• Spare clothes: At least 2-3 full changes (including underwear and socks). Young children get messy — paint, food, mud, and accidents happen daily.
• Sun-safe hat: A wide-brim hat is required for outdoor play. Most centres enforce "no hat, no play" policies.
• Sunscreen: SPF 50+ (unless the centre provides it — check).
• Nappies and wipes: A generous supply if your child isn't toilet trained.
• Water bottle: A labelled, spill-proof water bottle.
• Comfort item: A favourite toy, blanket, or teddy can help during settling in.
• Bedding: Some centres require a fitted cot sheet or sleeping bag for nap time.
• Food: If the centre doesn't provide meals, pack labelled containers with morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea. Check the centre's allergy policies — many are nut-free.

Setting Up the Child Care Subsidy (CCS)

The Child Care Subsidy is the Australian Government's main way of making childcare affordable. It's paid directly to your childcare provider, reducing your fees.

How to Apply

1. Create a myGov account at my.gov.au if you don't have one.
2. Link Centrelink to your myGov account.
3. Complete a CCS claim online through myGov. You'll need your child's details, your income estimate, and your activity details (work, study, etc.).
4. Confirm your enrolment — once your child starts care, the centre submits an enrolment. You'll need to confirm this in your myGov account within 28 days.

How Much Do You Get?

The CCS amount depends on your family income:

• Family income up to $80,000: 90% subsidy (you pay only 10% of fees)
• Family income $80,000-$530,000: Subsidy gradually decreases from 90% to 0%
• Family income above $530,000: No subsidy

Use our Childcare Calculator to estimate your out-of-pocket costs after the subsidy.

Emotional Tips for Parents

Let's be honest — the first day of childcare is often harder on parents than on children. Here's how to cope:

• It's okay to feel emotional. Crying at drop-off (you, not just your child) is completely normal. You're not a bad parent for needing childcare.
• Keep drop-offs short and confident. A long, drawn-out goodbye makes it harder for your child. Give a kiss, say "I'll be back after afternoon tea," and leave. The educators will take over.
• Trust the educators. They do this every day. Most children stop crying within 5-10 minutes of the parent leaving. If your child is truly distressed, the centre will call you.
• Ask for updates. Most centres are happy to send a photo or message during the day to reassure you.
• Give it time. Experts say it takes 2-4 weeks for most children to fully settle. Consistency helps — don't keep pulling your child out and trying again later.
• Talk to other parents. Every parent goes through this. Connecting with other families at the centre builds community and support.

The First-Year Illness Warning

This is something every childcare parent needs to prepare for: your child will get sick — a lot — in the first 6-12 months of childcare. It's one of the biggest surprises for new childcare parents.

Expect:

• 8-12 colds in the first year (runny noses, coughs, mild fevers)
• 2-4 gastro bugs (vomiting and/or diarrhoea)
• Hand, foot and mouth disease — very common in childcare, causes blisters and fever
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye) — highly contagious, spreads easily
• Ear infections — often following a cold

This is completely normal and actually important — your child's immune system is being exposed to viruses for the first time and building immunity. Children who attend childcare early tend to get sick less often once they start school.

Immunisation Requirements

Australian childcare centres require children to be up to date with their immunisations as per the National Immunisation Program. This is linked to the "No Jab, No Pay" policy — if your child isn't immunised (or doesn't have an approved exemption), you won't receive the Child Care Subsidy.

Key vaccinations for childcare-age children include:

• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough)
• Polio
• Hepatitis B
• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
• Meningococcal
• Pneumococcal

Your child's immunisations are recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR), which you can access through your Medicare online account via myGov. Your childcare centre will ask for your child's immunisation history statement.

If your child was vaccinated overseas, you'll need to get their records verified by your Australian GP, who can update the AIR accordingly. Read our full childcare guide for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long are childcare waitlists in Australia?

Waitlists vary hugely by area. In high-demand suburbs, waitlists can be 12-18 months or longer. In other areas, you might get a spot within weeks. It's best to put your name down at multiple centres as early as possible — many parents register during pregnancy.

How much does childcare cost in Australia?

Long day care costs $90-$180 per day depending on location. The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) covers 24-90% of costs depending on family income. A family earning $80,000 might pay around $10-$20 per day out of pocket after the subsidy. Use our Childcare Calculator for your specific estimate.

What does my child need for their first day at childcare?

Pack spare clothes (2-3 changes), a sun-safe hat, sunscreen, nappies and wipes (if not toilet trained), a labelled water bottle, a comfort item from home, and any food if the centre doesn't provide meals. Label everything with your child's name.

How do I apply for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS)?

You need a Centrelink account linked to your myGov account. Complete an online claim for CCS through myGov before your child starts care. You'll need your child's immunisation records and your income estimate for the financial year. The subsidy is paid directly to your provider.

Will my child get sick a lot at childcare?

Yes, expect frequent illnesses in the first 6-12 months. Children typically catch 8-12 colds, plus gastro bugs and other common infections. This is normal — their immune system is building up. Most centres require children to stay home for 24-48 hours after symptoms clear. Have a backup care plan ready.

Can I visit a childcare centre before enrolling?

Absolutely, and you should. Most centres welcome tours — call to arrange a visit during operating hours. Observe how educators interact with children, check the facilities, ask questions, and trust your instincts. Visit at least 2-3 centres before deciding.

Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about childcare in Australia. Costs, subsidies, and availability vary by location and are subject to change. Always confirm current details with your chosen provider and Services Australia. This is not professional childcare advice.