For parents of children aged 0–5 considering long day care, preschool/kindy, or family day care in Sydney and across NSW.
Choosing childcare can feel overwhelming—fees, waitlists, ratings, policies… and that’s before the first drop-off!
This guide cuts through the noise with the seven things families most care about—and exactly how to check each one. Use it whether you’re just starting your search or getting ready for day one.
1. Quality & Ratios (What Great Care Looks Like Day-to-Day)
Plain English version of “quality”: Every service in NSW is assessed under the National Quality Standard (NQS) across seven areas—relationships, education program, health & safety, and governance. Services receive one of four ratings: Working Towards NQS, Meeting NQS, Exceeding NQS, or Excellent—the highest achievement.
Why ratios matter: Ratios are the backbone of safe, responsive care. In centre-based services, younger rooms have more educators per child; preschool rooms have slightly larger ratios. Ask how the service maintains ratios during early/late “family grouping” and staff breaks.
How to check:
Visit StartingBlocks.gov.au to check a centre’s public NQS rating, last assessment date, and any Exceeding areas. ( We take pride in mentioning that Kradle 2 Krayons Pendle Hill is rated Exceeding in 6 Quality Areas out of 7 ( Overall Exceeding).
On a tour, notice whether educators are present, engaged, and at children’s level.
What we do: At Kradle 2 Krayons Pendle Hill, we publish our current rating and room ratios and can explain how we cover breaks to keep supervision tight.
2. Fees, CCS & Start Strong (What You Actually Pay)
Daily fees vs sessions: Long day care typically charges a daily fee, but your Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is calculated by the hour. Services set a “session length” (e.g., 10–12 hours). Your subsidy applies to the lower of your service’s hourly fee and the federal hourly rate cap.
CCS basics: Your CCS percentage is based on family income and activity. You pay the gap (what’s left after CCS).
Preschool programs may also attract NSW Start Strong fee relief for 3–5-year-olds.
From 5 Jan 2026: 3-Day Guarantee/72 hrs per fortnight starts nationally (including Sydney/NSW).
How to check:
Ask for the daily fee and session length used for CCS.
Confirm whether a preschool program qualifies for Start Strong.
What we do: We give you a work example of your family’s estimated weekly out-of-pocket expenses. Please book a center tour using the link below.
Explore more about CCS & fee relief at our Pendle Hill childcare centre.
3. Immunisation & Enrolment (What You Need Before Day One)
To enrol in an early childhood service in NSW, you’ll need your child’s Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) statement showing they’re up to date, on a valid catch-up schedule, or have a medical exemption.
You’ll also need: proof of birth, Medicare/CRNs, emergency contacts, and authorisations.
How to check:
Ask for the centre’s enrolment checklist, “priority of access” or waitlist policy, and lead times for your child’s age group.
What we do: We provide a clear enrolment checklist and help you download your AIR statement if you need a hand.
You can view our enrolment process here.
4. Communication & Your Child’s Key Educator (Feels Like a Team)
Key educator approach: Most days your child will see the same Key Educator. When that’s not possible, another familiar educator continues the plan, and we’ll let you know who’s supporting your child.
Learning documentation: Under the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF v2.0), educators plan around your child’s interests and strengths. Look for learning stories linked to goals, not just photos.
How to check:
Ask how often families get updates, whether there are set check-ins each term, and if you can see recent (de-identified) examples.
What we do: We share daily updates for routines, weekly learning reflections, and term summaries—through OWNA plus quick chats at drop-off/pick-up.
5. Health, Food & Safe Sleep (The Practical Things Parents Worry About)
Allergies/anaphylaxis: Ask to see the policy and how risk is minimised at mealtimes. Confirm where action plans and medication are stored and who is trained to administer them.
Illness & medication: Every service has exclusion periods (e.g., for fever, gastro) and medication rules (original packaging, labelled, authorization forms).
Safe sleep & supervision: Babies and toddlers should be checked and visible—educators should be able to hear and see sleeping children. Ask how the team balances rest needs with your routines at home.
Nutritious meals: We partner with Kids Gourmet Food, a specialist childcare catering service that provides freshly prepared, nutritious meals daily. We publish our allergy management steps, menu rotation, and safe sleep checks. We’ll talk through how we adapt for your child’s individual dietary needs and preferences.
6. Inclusion & Additional Needs (Every Child Belongs)
High-quality services plan for inclusion from the start—supporting children with additional needs, welcoming multilingual families, and embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives respectfully.
How to check:
Ask about experience with Inclusion Support, whether NDIS therapists can visit on site, and examples of adapting the environment or program.
What we do: We co-create an inclusion plan with you and your child’s team and coordinate with therapists where helpful.
7. Transition to School (For 4–5-Year-Olds)
Great preschool programs work closely with local schools. A Transition to School Statement travels with your child so their new teacher understands strengths, interests, and supports from day one.
How to check:
Ask when the centre begins transition planning, which schools they link with, and whether they host joint activities or educator meet-ups.
What we do: We prepare Transition to School Statements with families and share them (with consent) with the receiving school.
Tour in 10: Quick Questions to Take With You
- How are ratios covered during early/late “family grouping” and staff breaks?
- Can I see your latest NQS rating and assessment date?
- What is your daily fee and session length used for CCS?
- How would Start Strong apply to us?
- How will we communicate day-to-day and how often will I see learning documentation?
- What’s your allergy management and illness exclusion approach?
- Can I see the safe sleep checks?
- How do you support children with additional needs or multilingual families?
- For preschoolers: how do you handle transition to school?
Jargon Buster
- NQS: National Quality Standard — how services are rated.
- EYLF v2.0: Early Years Learning Framework — play-based curriculum.
- CCS: Child Care Subsidy — federal subsidy reducing your fees.
- Start Strong: NSW fee relief for eligible preschool programs.
Final Word
You don’t need to be a policy expert to pick a great centre. Focus on what you can see (warm relationships, calm spaces, engaged educators) and what you can check (ratings, ratios, fees, policies).
If you’d like a personalized estimate of your gap after CCS and Start Strong—or a shortlist of well-rated services near you—reach out and we’ll help.
Book a tour or request a fee estimate — our team will share your likely weekly gap and a settling-in plan tailored to your child.