Accessing government funding can significantly reduce the cost of early childhood education and care for families. In New South Wales, two primary funding programs are available: the Start Strong Program and the Child Care Subsidy (CCS).

The NSW Government’s Start Strong Program aims to make early childhood education more affordable and accessible. It provides funding to eligible community preschools and long day care services to reduce fees for families. The program supports children aged 3 to 5 years, ensuring they can participate in 600 hours of quality preschool education in the years before school.

In 2025, the Start Strong Program offers an annual flat rate Family Fee Relief Payment for eligible children attending a preschool program in long day care:

• $515 for children who are 3 years old and not 4 years old, on or before 31 July 2025.
• $2,174 for children who are 4 years old, on or before 31 July 2025.

To access the Family Fee Relief Payment, families need to complete a NSW Government 2025 ‘Fee Relief Declaration and Consent Form’ for each child and provide the completed form to their childcare service. Access to this payment is only available from one service at a time.

The Australian Government’s Child Care Subsidy (CCS) helps families with the cost of approved child care. The subsidy is paid directly to child care providers to reduce the fees you pay.

To be eligible for CCS, you must meet certain requirements, including:

• Caring for a child 13 or younger who is not attending secondary school (unless an exemption applies).
• Using an approved child care service.
• Being responsible for paying the child care fees.
• Meeting residency and immunisation requirements.

The amount of CCS you can receive depends on factors such as your family’s income, the type of child care you use, the age of your child, and your activity level (e.g., work, study, volunteering). It’s important to provide an accurate family income estimate, as it affects your CCS percentage. If your actual income is lower than your estimate, any additional subsidy you’re entitled to will be paid when your payments are balanced at the end of the financial year.

To access the Start Strong fee relief, speak directly with the team at Bowral Street Childcare to understand how the funding is applied and how it affects your fees.

For the Child Care Subsidy, you need to submit a claim through your Centrelink online account via myGov. The process involves providing information about your family’s income, activity details, and child care arrangements.

By understanding and accessing these funding options, you can make early childhood education more affordable and provide your child with valuable learning experiences during their formative years! Contact us for more information.

The team at Bowral Street Childcare look forward to meeting you and your family. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any additional questions. Our friendly team will respond as soon as possible!