Prices of childcare vary from service to service depending on what the centre offers families. Some centres require families to provide their own meals and necessities such as nappies, wipes, creams etc. Typically these centres are cheaper than most due to lower running costs. Centre that provide freshly cooked meals onsite and all necessities included usually have higher fees due to higher running costs. Experience of staff and cost of wages may also be why fees fluctuate so much within the area. To ensure the centres fee schedule aligns with your financial circumstances, the best thing to do is call the centre directly and speak with the Centre Director. They will be able to use you Child Care Subsidy percentage to tell you the exact out of pocket cost for their service.

There is a range of different names that centres will brand themselves with such as Preschool, Daycare, Childcare, Kindergarten, Early Learning Centre etc, however ultimately there is no difference as all centres have to follow the EYLF, NQS and NQF and are required to meet the national laws and regulations. Some Kindergartens and Preschool however may only take children from a certain age so it’s best to confirm with the Centre directly.

The thought of Childcare can be daunting for all mums especially if you are a first-time mum who needs to return to work. It’s important to ensure that you research the centres in your area and if you can, book an orientation to meet the educators and familiarise yourself with their routines and practices. Childcare has many benefits such as supporting your child’s emotional and social well-being, preparing them for future learning journeys, building resilience and so much more.