Early childhood education and care for families
A child's participation in an organised early childhood education program assists in the development of their skills and abilities.
Early childhood education and care (ECEC) programs and services are designed to support the learning and development of young children.
Research shows that children who participate in a quality ECEC program for at least 600 hours in the year before school are more likely to arrive at school equipped with the social, cognitive, and emotional skills they need to engage in learning.
Learn more about the benefits of early childhood education and care.
Service types
There's a wide range of early childhood education and outside school hours care options available to suit family needs.
Preschool
Preschools are usually for children aged 3 to 5 years old, or the 2 years before they start school, and generally operate from 9 am to 3.30 pm during NSW school terms.
Preschools provide a program that supports early learning and transition to school. Most are community based, not-for-profit services however some are public preschools run by the department on school sites. Other service types, like long day cares, may also offer preschool programs
The NSW Government has committed to building 100 new public preschools by 2027.
Long day care
Long day care services are available for children from birth to school age and generally run from 7-8 am to 6 pm to suit working families. Children can attend all or part of the day. Many long day care services offer preschool programs.
Family day care
Registered educators provide education and care for children from birth to age 12 in homes or approved venues.
These services cater for small groups of up to 7 children, with a maximum of 4 under preschool age.
Outside school hours care (OSHC) also known as Out of School Hours (OOSH)
These services operate before and after school for school aged children.
Some services also provide education and care during school holidays and pupil-free days, sometimes known as vacation care. Find out more about Outside School Hours Care.
Occasional care
Casual care services offer short-term care for children from birth to school age for short periods of time.
These types of services are suitable for families with temporary or last-minute needs.
Mobile services
Mobile services are designed to travel to areas where centre based services are not readily available.
The In Home Care Program provides access to Government subsidised child care in the family home and is not regulated under the National Quality Framework.
The program is targeted to assist parents or carers who are unable to access other mainstream child care options such as those who work non-standard hours, are geographically isolated or have families with challenging and complex needs.
Fees
Early childhood education and outside school hours care services set their own fees.
Contact your local service for more information.
- The Australian Government’s Child Care Subsidy assists families with the cost of child care. Parents and carers enrolling a child in long day care and family day care services may be eligible to claim the Child Care Subsidy and Additional Child Care Subsidy.
- The Start Strong program for community preschools and long day care supports preschool education for all children in NSW. It is designed to make preschool more affordable for families and ensure all children aged three and above have access to 600 hours of quality early childhood education in the year before school.
- Families who need help with the cost of ECEC or with raising a child should visit Services Australia for more information.
Enrol early
With a high demand for ECEC services, it is important to enrol your child as soon as possible. Consider doing this if your child needs to start by a particular age or time.
Many services will have a wait list if there are no spots available. You can put your child on the wait list for more than one service.
Choosing a quality service
To find a service in your area and get tips on choosing one, visit Choosing a quality service.
Preparing for your child's first day
It’s normal for both you and your child to feel excited and nervous before they start preschool. That's why we've developed the "Getting Ready" animation series to help prepare for their first day. These animations highlight the benefits of preschool and offer practical tips to make the transition smoother, ensuring the start of your child’s early learning journey is a positive and happy one.
Transcript
Preschool programs can be delivered in community and mobile preschools, public preschools, long day care or family day care, and are available for children aged three to five, depending on the service.
These programs support learning and development through play-based activities and will help your child make friends, become more independent and get ready for school.
For more on preschool programs, visit our website or follow us on Facebook.
Transcript
When choosing a preschool program, it’s important to find a service that will meet the needs of you and your child. Here are some things to think about:
A service’s quality rating and location
The times and days it opens
How different backgrounds are celebrated.
Any healthcare needs your child may have
It’s a good idea to visit a service and take your child along. That way, you can see the service for yourself, and see how your child responds to the environment and educators. And, if you have any questions, you can ask the educators directly.
If you have any concerns about the quality or safety of a service, you can contact the NSW Department of Education as the Regulatory Authority for early childhood education and care in NSW.
For more information, including how to find a service, visit our website or follow us on Facebook.
Transcript
When it comes to helping your child settle into a preschool program, it is good to be prepared.
Before their first day, it is a good idea to make sure they have all the things they might need like:
- a bag
- a drink bottle
- a hat for outdoor play
- and spare clothes.
It is also important to let your service know if your child has any allergies, health conditions, or learning and support needs, so that the service can make sure your child is safe, happy and well when they go to preschool.
For more, visit our website or follow us on Facebook.
Transcript
Starting a preschool program can be a big change for both you and your child.
Your child might be a bit nervous and that's ok, there are lots of things you can do to help them feel excited about preschool:
- you can talk about preschool in a positive way
- read books to them about starting preschool and
- visit the service and meet the educators ahead of time, so your child can become familiar with the new environment, people and routines.
If you want more tips on how to help your child settle in, talk to your service. They’ll be happy to help.
For more, visit our website or follow us on Facebook.
Transcript
Children learn through play. Quality Preschool programs create fun and engaging play-based learning activities that they know your child will enjoy.
This might mean imaginative play, making up games and stories, self-expression through painting, craft or building new things, dancing, listening to or making music, or learning about numbers, patterns and shapes.
Through play-based learning, your child will have fun and pick up new skills that will stay with them for life.
For more, visit our website or follow us on Facebook.
Transcript
When your child starts preschool, positive routines like starting the day with a nutritious breakfast will set your child up for success throughout the day.
Some services will supply healthy meals. Others will ask you to provide food. Talk to the educators about what to pack.
This is also a good age to start teaching your child about road safety: how to cross the road safely and why it’s important to always wear a seat belt.
Healthy routines ensure children have the energy and the confidence to learn and play.
For more, visit our website or follow us on Facebook.
Transcript
Would you like to discuss your child’s progress or readiness for school? Your child’s educator is the best place to start.
If you have concerns about a service, you can ask to speak to the nominated supervisor, service director or approved provider directly.
If the service can’t resolve the issue, you can contact the NSW Department of Education as the Regulatory Authority for early childhood education and care services or – If the issue is related to service fees or business practices, the Department of Fair Trading.
As a parent or caregiver, you have a right to have your concerns addressed.
For more, visit our website or follow us on Facebook.
Transcript
When your child is ready to start school, your child’s early childhood education service will help you and your child prepare.
Services and schools often run programs to help.
Your service may also complete a ‘Transition to School’ statement.
The statement summarises your child’s strengths, interests, and ways they like to learn.
This information will help your child’s Kindergarten teacher get to know them and plan appropriate learning and teaching programs.
If you’d like more help, you can talk to your child’s educators who may be able to connect you with additional support programs.
For more, visit our website or follow us on Facebook.
Transcript
Starting kindergarten is a big event in your child’s life.
There’s lots you can do with your child to help them prepare for starting school: practice putting on a uniform and packing and unpacking their school bag, write their name on all their school things, read books to them about starting school and talk about what might happen on their first day.
You can also support your child to be independent in the bathroom. Teach them how to flush the toilet and wash and dry their hands.
If you live close to the school, practice walking to school safely making sure you always hold your child’s hand and cross at the pedestrian crossing.
For more, visit our website or follow us on Facebook.
Transcript
Going to school every day is important for children. It will help them settle into school and set them up for learning success.
Developing good routines will help your child to be happy, alert and arrive on time each day.
Keep before and after school routines – like bath time and meals – as regular as possible. And in the morning make sure there is enough time to eat breakfast and get ready.
If you’re having difficulty getting your child to school every day and on time, talk to your child’s teacher or principal.
Good routines will help your child focus on what’s most important – learning and having fun at school.
For more, visit our website or follow us on Facebook.
Transcript
Engaging with your child in play-based literacy activities will help prepare them for learning at school.
When you talk, read to and interact with your child, they learn to communicate and use new words, this builds a strong foundation for reading, writing and communicating with others.
You might read or share a story with your child each day or encourage them to draw the things that interest them.
Most importantly, have fun with them and make use of the learning opportunities in everyday activities.
For more, visit our website or follow us on Facebook
Transcript
Your child’s Kindergarten teacher is your partner in supporting your child’s education.
It is good to keep in touch with them about your child’s progress and let them know of any changes in your child’s life that may affect their learning or enjoyment of school.
If you feel your child needs extra support, schools offer a variety of support services that can help. This might be:
- learning and support teacher
- Community liaison officers
- English as an additional language or dialect teacher, or
- Aboriginal education officers and teams.
- School counselling service
Contact your school to find out more. Or you can visit our website or follow us on Facebook.
Additional resources
- The Getting ready for preschool guide provides some helpful hints for families such as what to pack in your child's bag, as well as information about allergies and health issues, and other practical advice.
- Watch the Children Starting Strong video series to learn more about the benefits of early childhood education.
- To access ECEC resources in language, visit the department’s translated resource page.
- More tips on how to have a positive start to preschool, such as having good routines, are available on the Commonwealth Government’s Australian parenting website Raising Children and the Early Childhood Australia website.
- ACECQA’s Starting Blocks website also has information for parents and families on:
- Choosing the right service for your child
- Understanding the National Quality Standards
- Helping your child settle in
- Supporting your child through ECEC