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<\/p>\nFor parents of children aged\u00a00\u20135<\/b>\u00a0considering\u00a0long day care<\/b>\u00a0in Sydney and across NSW.<\/p>\n
Choosing childcare can feel overwhelming\u2014fees, waitlists, ratings, policies\u2026 and that\u2019s before the first drop-off!<\/p>\n
This guide cuts through the noise with the seven things families most care about\u2014and\u00a0exactly how to check each one<\/b>. Use it whether you\u2019re just starting your search or getting ready for day one.<\/p>\n
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Plain English version of \u201cquality\u201d:<\/b>\u00a0Every service in NSW is assessed under the\u00a0National Quality Standard<\/a> (NQS)<\/b>\u00a0across seven areas\u2014relationships, education program, health & safety, and governance. Services receive one of four ratings: Working Towards NQS, Meeting NQS, Exceeding NQS, or Excellent\u2014the highest achievement.<\/p>\n Why ratios matter:<\/b>\u00a0Ratios 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 \u201cfamily grouping\u201d and staff breaks.<\/p>\n How to check:<\/b><\/p>\n Visit StartingBlocks.gov.au to check a centre\u2019s public NQS rating, last assessment date, and any Exceeding areas.\u00a0( We take pride in mentioning that Kradle 2 Krayons Pendle Hill is rated Exceeding in 6 Quality Areas out of 7 ( Overall Exceeding).<\/p>\n On a tour, notice whether educators are present, engaged, and at children\u2019s level.<\/p>\n What we do:<\/b>\u00a0At\u00a0Kradle 2 Krayons Pendle Hill<\/a><\/strong>, we publish our current rating and room ratios and can explain how we cover breaks to keep supervision tight.<\/p>\n Daily fees vs sessions:<\/b>\u00a0Long day care typically charges a daily fee, but your\u00a0Child Care Subsidy<\/a> (CCS)<\/b>\u00a0is calculated by the hour. Services set a \u201csession length\u201d (e.g., 10\u201312 hours). Your subsidy applies to the lower of your service\u2019s hourly fee and the federal hourly rate cap.<\/p>\n CCS basics:<\/b>\u00a0Your CCS percentage is based on family income and activity. You pay the gap (what\u2019s left after CCS). From 5 Jan 2026:<\/b>\u00a03-Day Guarantee\/72 hrs per fortnight starts nationally (including Sydney\/NSW)<\/a>.<\/p>\n How to check:<\/b><\/p>\n Ask for the daily fee and session length used for CCS.<\/p>\n Confirm whether a preschool program qualifies for Start Strong.<\/p>\n CCS Calculator<\/a><\/p>\n What we do:<\/b>\u00a0We give you a work example of your family\u2019s estimated weekly out-of-pocket expenses. Please book a center tour using the link below.<\/p>\n Explore more about CCS & fee relief at our Pendle Hill childcare centre.<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n To enrol in an early childhood service in NSW, you\u2019ll need your child\u2019s\u00a0Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)<\/b>\u00a0statement showing they\u2019re up to date, on a valid catch-up schedule, or have a medical exemption.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll also need:<\/b>\u00a0proof of birth, Medicare\/CRNs, emergency contacts, and authorisations.<\/p>\n How to check:<\/b> What we do:<\/b>\u00a0We provide a clear enrolment checklist and help you download your AIR statement if you need a hand. Key educator approach:<\/b>\u00a0Most days your child will see the same Key Educator. When that\u2019s not possible, another familiar educator continues the plan, and we\u2019ll let you know who\u2019s supporting your child.<\/p>\n Learning documentation:<\/b>\u00a0Under the\u00a0Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF v2.0)<\/b>, educators plan around your child\u2019s interests and strengths. Look for learning stories linked to goals, not just photos.<\/p>\n How to check:<\/b> What we do:<\/b>\u00a0We share daily updates for routines, weekly learning reflections, and term summaries\u2014through OWNA plus quick chats at drop-off\/pick-up.<\/p>\n Allergies\/anaphylaxis:<\/b>\u00a0Ask 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.<\/p>\n Illness & medication:<\/b>\u00a0Every service has exclusion periods (e.g., for fever, gastro) and medication rules (original packaging, labelled, authorization forms).<\/p>\n Safe sleep & supervision:<\/b>\u00a0Babies and toddlers should be checked and visible\u2014educators should be able to hear and see sleeping children. Ask how the team balances rest needs with your routines at home.<\/p>\n Nutritious meals:<\/b>\u00a0We partner with\u00a0Kids Gourmet Food<\/a>, 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\u2019ll talk through how we adapt for your child\u2019s individual dietary needs and preferences.<\/p>\n High-quality services plan for inclusion from the start\u2014supporting children with additional needs, welcoming multilingual families, and embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives respectfully.<\/p>\n How to check:<\/b> What we do:<\/b>\u00a0We co-create an inclusion plan with you and your child\u2019s team and coordinate with therapists where helpful.<\/p>\n Great preschool programs work closely with local schools.\u00a0A\u00a0Transition to School Statement<\/b>\u00a0travels with your child so their new teacher understands strengths, interests, and supports from day one.<\/p>\n How to check:<\/b><\/p>\n Ask when the centre begins transition planning, which schools they link with, and whether they host joint activities or educator meet-ups.<\/p>\n What we do:<\/b>\u00a0We prepare Transition to School Statements with families and share them (with consent) with the receiving school.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t need to be a policy expert to pick a great centre. Focus on what you can\u00a0see<\/b>\u00a0(warm relationships, calm spaces, engaged educators) and what you can\u00a0check<\/b>\u00a0(ratings, ratios, fees, policies).<\/p>\n If you\u2019d like a personalized estimate of your gap after CCS and Start Strong\u2014or a shortlist of well-rated services near you\u2014reach out and we\u2019ll help.<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
2.\u00a0Fees, CCS & Start Strong (What You Actually Pay)\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
\nPreschool programs may also attract\u00a0NSW Start Strong<\/b>\u00a0fee relief for 3\u20135-year-olds.<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
3.\u00a0Immunisation\u00a0& Enrolment (What You Need Before Day One)<\/b><\/h3>\n
\nAsk for the centre\u2019s enrolment checklist, \u201cpriority of access\u201d or waitlist policy, and lead times for your child\u2019s age group.<\/p>\n
\nYou can view our enrolment process here.<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
4.\u00a0Communication & Your Child\u2019s Key Educator (Feels Like a Team)<\/b><\/h3>\n
\nAsk how often families get updates, whether there are set check-ins each term, and if you can see recent (de-identified) examples.<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
5.\u00a0Health, Food & Safe Sleep (The Practical Things Parents Worry About)<\/b><\/h3>\n
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6.\u00a0Inclusion & Additional Needs (Every Child Belongs)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nAsk about experience with\u00a0Inclusion Support<\/b>, whether\u00a0NDIS therapists<\/b>\u00a0can visit on site, and examples of adapting the environment or program.<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
7.\u00a0Transition to School (For 4\u20135-Year-Olds)\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Tour in 10: Quick Questions to Take With You<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Jargon Buster\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Final Word<\/b><\/h2>\n