A new financial year means new numbers, new opportunities, and — for a lot of Penrith families — a good reason to revisit their childcare arrangements.
Whether you’re returning to work after parental leave, your child is moving into a new age group, or you’ve simply been meaning to check your Child Care Subsidy entitlement, July is the natural reset point. And if you’ve been wondering whether Kradle 2 Krayons Penrith is the right fit for your family — this is the perfect time to find out.
Here’s everything you need to know heading into 2026–27.
The 3-Day Guarantee Is Now in Effect — Here’s What It Means for You
One of the biggest changes to Australian childcare in years came into effect on 5 January 2026: the 3-Day Guarantee.
Every CCS-eligible family now receives a minimum of 72 hours of subsidised childcare per fortnight — that’s 3 days per week — regardless of how many hours they work or study. The old activity test no longer applies for families accessing up to 72 hours.
What this means in plain terms:
- You no longer need to meet minimum work/study hours to access subsidised care
- Families who previously missed out can now access at least 3 days per week
- If you need more than 72 hours per fortnight, you can still access 100 hours if both parents meet recognised participation requirements
- First Nations families continue to receive 100 hours per fortnight automatically
This is a significant change — and if you haven’t reviewed your CCS claim since it came into effect, now is the time.
CCS Rates Have Been Updated for 2026–27
From 6 July 2026, updated income thresholds and hourly rate caps apply to all CCS payments. Here’s a plain-English summary:
- Families with a combined income up to $88,520 receive the maximum 90% subsidy
- Above $88,520, the subsidy reduces by 1% for every additional $5,000 of income
- Families earning above $538,520 are not eligible for CCS
- If you have two or more children aged 5 or under in approved care, your second (and younger) child may attract a higher subsidy rate
The subsidy is paid directly to your childcare provider and reduces what you pay automatically — you only pay the gap.
Source: Department of Education and Services Australia, confirmed July 2026.
Two Things to Do Right Now If You Already Receive CCS
1. Confirm your 2025–26 income If you received CCS during 2025–26, you have until 30 June 2027 to confirm your family income by lodging your tax return with the ATO. If you don’t confirm, your CCS will stop. Don’t leave it until the last minute.
2. Update your income estimate for 2026–27 If your income has changed — you’ve returned to work, changed hours, or had a pay change — update your estimate in myGov now. An inaccurate estimate can mean overpayments you’ll need to repay later.
Starting Childcare in Penrith? Here’s What to Know First
If you’re enrolling for the first time in the second half of 2026, a few things are worth knowing before you compare centres.
What to look for beyond the price tag
The cost after CCS is important — but it’s not the whole picture. The quality of a childcare centre directly affects your child’s development, their wellbeing during the day, and how smoothly they settle. When you’re visiting childcare centers in Penrith, look past the photos on the wall and ask:
- What is the centre’s NQS rating? (Look for Exceeding or Meeting)
- What’s the educator-to-child ratio in the specific room your child would be in?
- Who are the permanent educators in that room — and how long have they been there?
- What does a typical day actually look like for a child my child’s age?
What age groups does K2K Penrith cater for?
Kradle 2 Krayons Penrith caters for children from 6 weeks to 5 years, across three age groups:
- Infants (0–2 year): Focused on responsive care, sensory experience, and building secure attachment
- Toddlers (2–3 years): Language development, physical play, emotional regulation, and independence
- Preschool (3–5 years): School readiness, structured learning, STEM, literacy, and social skills
What Makes K2K Penrith Different
Choosing a childcare centre is about more than comparing fees or facilities. Families want to know that their child will be safe, understood, supported and genuinely happy throughout the day. At Kradle 2 Krayons Penrith, we combine nationally recognised standards with experienced educators, meaningful learning opportunities and practical support for busy families.
Independently assessed as Meeting the National Quality Standard
Kradle 2 Krayons Penrith is rated Meeting National Quality Standard under Australia’s National Quality Framework.
This means our service has been independently assessed against the National Quality Standard, which covers seven important areas of children’s education and care, including educational programs, children’s health and safety, staffing, relationships with children, partnerships with families, and service leadership.
For families, this provides assurance that our everyday practices meet the national benchmark for quality early childhood education and care. We remain committed to continuous improvement and to strengthening the quality of each child’s experience at our centre.
Our 4.9-star Google rating reflects feedback from local parents who have experienced our service firsthand. Families frequently value our caring educators, communication, learning opportunities and welcoming environment.
15+ years of experience in Western Sydney We’ve been part of the Penrith community for a significant period. We know what local families need, and we’ve built our program around it.
A program that goes well beyond care At K2K Penrith, your child’s day includes:
- Play-based learning aligned to the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)
- STEM activities — hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math’s
- Gymnastics, dance, Tai Chi, cooking, athletics — a full extracurricular program included in the fee
- School readiness program for children transitioning to kindergarten
- Outdoor play every day, including in winter
Everything included — no surprises Nutritious meals and snacks, nappies, hats, and the full extracurricular programs are all included in the daily fee. No enrolment fee, bond and no hidden costs.
A partnership with your family We stay in regular contact through our family communication app, with photos and updates throughout the day. For parents who can’t yet ask their child “what did you do today?” and get an answer — this matters.
Is July a Good Time to Enrol?
Yes — and here’s why.
July marks the start of the new financial year, which means:
- Your CCS claim resets and is based on your 2026–27 income estimate
- Many families return to work after parental leave in July, making it one of the most common enrolment months
- Children turning 1, 2, or 3 mid-year often transition into new rooms in July — a natural time to start
Toddler and infant places at K2K Penrith fill fast. If you’re planning to start in July, August, or even later in 2026, enquiring now is the right move.
Come and See for Yourself
Reading about a childcare centre can only tell you so much. The real question — will my child be happy here? — is one you can only answer by visiting.
At K2K Penrith, a tour means walking through the actual rooms during a session, meeting the educators, seeing what your child’s day would genuinely look like, and asking every question on your list. There’s no obligation, no pressure, and no sales pitch.
Book your free tour today.
→ kradle2krayons.com.au/booking 📍 135–137 High Street, Penrith NSW 2750 📞 02 4721 7607 ✉ enquiries@kradle2krayons.com.au 🕐 Mon–Fri, 7:00 am – 6:00 pm
Quick FAQs
1. Do I still need to meet an activity test for CCS? Not for the first 72 hours per fortnight. Since 5 January 2026, all CCS-eligible families receive a minimum of 3 days of subsidised care per week regardless of work or study activity. To access more than 72 hours, participation requirements apply.
2. What is the maximum CCS subsidy available in 2026–27? Families with a combined income up to $88,520 receive the maximum rate of 90%. The subsidy reduces gradually above this. Check your entitlement at servicesaustralia.gov.au or use the calculator at childcaresubsidycalculator.com.au.
3. What happens if I don’t confirm my 2025–26 income? Your CCS will stop if you don’t confirm income by 30 June 2027. Confirm by lodging your tax return with the ATO and ensuring Services Australia has your details.
4. What ages does Kradle 2 Krayons Penrith cater for? 6 weeks to 5 years — infants, toddlers, and preschool age children.
5. Is there an enrolment fee or bond at K2K Penrith? No. There is no enrolment fee and no bond. Meals, nappies, and the extracurricular programme are all included in the daily fee.